Nathaniel Snider

Nathaniel has been an elementary educator for a little over six years and is currently teaching a grade 6
class in Castlegar. He loves working with youth and has been doing so well before finding himself
leading a classroom. During his mid-twenties Nathaniel began melding his love of mythology, martial
arts, swordplay, and of warrior and spiritual traditions from around the world. This came to fruition
when he inadvertently started a youth swordplay group in Nelson that lasted over 6 years, only ending
when he had to leave the area to attend school.

During this time, Nathaniel saw the benefits that body awareness, creativity, moving meditation, and
rising to meet a challenge had on children when combined with play. He was also happy to hear years
later that these benefits continued into adulthood. Twenty years later, Nathaniel still carries this
passion with him and continues to learn and refine his art, leaping at any opportunity to pass on his love
of holistic swordplay.

Apart from taking several years to live on and explore Vancouver Island while working towards his
degree in Elementary Education, Nathaniel has called the Kootenays his home since he was a wee lad.
Raised by homesteading parents with the forest as his backyard, he understands the importance of
having a personal connection to the natural world.