Ashley Raphael
A Hydrologist Technician, with Upper Fraser Conservation Alliance (UFFCA), Saik’uz First Nation
What Do They Do?
Ashley, a member of the Saik’uz First Nation, is a leader in Indigenous-led conservation in British Columbia. She is deeply rooted in her community, culture, and the river systems that sustain them.
She serves as a Hydrology Technician and Project Coordinator with the Upper Fraser Conservation Alliance. In this role, Ashley leads water monitoring initiatives, collects real-time hydrometric data from over 40 sites across the Upper Fraser watershed, and champions community-based stewardship grounded in Indigenous knowledge.
She also mentors and trains youth and community members in hydrology and water science, helping to build local capacity. Her work ensures that decisions affecting water are informed by both scientific data and Indigenous priorities.
Why Does It Matter?
Ashley’s work ensures that Indigenous communities have the tools and authority to monitor and protect their own watersheds. By combining scientific methods with cultural protocols, she’s helping to restore salmon habitats, hold industry accountable, and pass on critical knowledge to the next generation. Her efforts support Indigenous sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and intergenerational learning.
Ashley’s work is deeply rooted in personal experience and cultural memory. One of her strongest childhood memories is cooking fish right on the rocks by the creek.
“A big driver for me early on was making sure the next generation gets to enjoy that same memory, hopefully for many years and many generations to come. I want children to be able to sit by the river with their parents, cook a fish, and feel connected to the land. I believe it’s their right. All kids deserve clean water and the chance to enjoy fish from their local rivers.” — Ashley Raphael
How Did They Get There?
Grew up in Saik’uz First Nation, with a strong connection to the water and the land
Started her career with the Tribal Council’s Fisheries Company, gaining seven years of water quality experience
Served for six years as an Aboriginal Liaison, supporting community engagement
Continued to grow her skills in hydrology and field data collection
Now works with the Upper Fraser Conservation Alliance, leading culturally grounded watershed monitoring.
Want to Follow a Similar Path?
Ashley’s journey shows how Hydrology Technicians are playing a vital role in Indigenous-led watershed monitoring. If you’re curious about this career path—what it involves, how people get started, and why it’s so important—keep reading. The Career Spotlight below offers a closer look at the role of a Hydrology Technician working at the intersection of science, culture, and water stewardship.
What do Hydrology Technicians do in Watersheds?
Water monitoring specialists track stream flow, temperature, and water quality, often in sensitive or threatened watersheds. When these roles are grounded in Indigenous leadership, they also include cultural knowledge, deep place-based understanding, and intergenerational stewardship. These specialists help ensure water is protected not just through data, but through indigenous knowledge systems and a connection to place.
What’s a Typical Pathway?
Some begin with a background in fisheries or environmental monitoring through Indigenous Guardian programs, tribal councils, or local training initiatives. Others move into water science after hands-on work in their communities. Technical skills in hydrometrics, streamflow monitoring, or GIS mapping are often learned through a combination of mentorship, certification programs, and in-the-field experience.
Why Does It Matter?
Community-led water monitoring is essential for healthy watersheds, especially in regions where provincial monitoring is limited. Indigenous water monitoring specialists bring essential cultural and ecological knowledge to the table, building capacity in community, long-term resilience and self-determination in watershed governance.