Our founders

This organization grows from the work of Harold and Phil Gatensby who were instrumental to the introduction of Circles in the justice system in their efforts to transform the relationship between the justice system and their own Tlingit community. 

As formerly incarcerated residential school survivors, Phil and Harold have spent their lives working to return power to communities and dismantle the carceral system. Over 40 years, they have done extensive work in Indigenous and multi-racial communities, and in multiple sectors in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Since the 1980s, Gathering Power has been the name of Phil’s work to support people to create a better, healthier life for themselves, their families, and their communities.