Gisele Martin
Gisele is a respected outdoor guide in the territory of her peoples ,the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. She grew up in Clayoquot Sound, and has been working as an naturalist since 1993. She has a comprehensive knowledge of flora and fauna, and a deep interest in her culture.
Gisele is practicing the traditional art of weaving with cedar bark, and is a popular painter. She is also the founder of the Nisma Project Society, a non-profit organization which provides educational & cultural outdoor programs for local children.
Gisele has traveled to Europe and Japan to speak about First Nations Culture and its interconnection to the environment. She has been a guest on several shows featuring the Tofino area, the most recent one being a BBC Ray Mears 'Northern Wilderness' series.
Joe Martin
Joe Martin is a Master Canoe Carver and experienced man of the sea. A member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, from the house of Sheewish, he has spent his life fishing, driving boats, and carving traditional dugout canoes, a skill learned from his father. His expertise on the water and in our ocean going canoes is unparalleled, his storytelling engaging, and his knowledge of the area detailed. Joe has travelled all over the world to speak about Nuu-chah-nulth culture and was recently in Hawaii to participate in the 2002 Celebration of Canoes. Joe also enjoys story telling and taking visitors on bear tours by motor boat.
Tsimka Martin
Tsimka Martin is the newest addition to our guiding team. She joins us with a lifetime of canoeing experience and a passion for her culture and for Clayoquot Sound. Her family is renowned for their canoe carving. Tsimka graduated from the Coastal Adventure Tourism program through North Island College. She enjoys sharing her knowlege of native songs and exploring the waters of Clayoquot Sound by canoe.
