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Episode one

The second season of Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island continues the exploration of the history, culture, and role of Indigenous People in the Vancouver Island of today. In the first episode of the new season, the focus is on Indigenous Women in Business. Host Tchadas Leo introduces us to three women making a huge difference in their communities through their entrepreneurial endeavours while staying true to and building on their cultural heritage.

Erin Brillon of Haida and Cree heritage shares her journey from working in the nonprofit sector to starting her own business, Totem Design House, which specializes in Northwest Coast native art and apparel.

Ali Assu of the Wet’suwet’en First Nations on her mother’s side describes her career transition from managing sports events to launching West Coast Wildflowers Collective in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Valerie Lamirande recounts her journey from office management to soap making and the inspiration she draws from her Haida roots.

Each of these remarkable women share their inspiration and journey offering advice to the women who will follow them.

Totem Design House | West Coast Wildflowers & Bear Essential Oils | Ravensong Soap & Candle

Episode two

In episode two, the focus shifts slightly into the examination of tradition and specifically how it plays a part in the lives of two communities and the ways in which they are making this part of the tourist experience.  Tchadas Leo speaks first with a hereditary chief of the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation, Jerry Jack, also known as Tlakwagiila from the house of Tsa’Xana. He has a unique perspective with over 40 years of experience working on First Nations issues including justice, policing, governance, fisheries and environmental management. He is steering his nation towards economic sustainability and using tradition as a building block.

Also, in this episode, Tchadas sits down with Jolleen Dick from Hupačasath First Nation in the Alberni Valley. Jolleen has worked as an Elected Councilor of the Hupačasath First Nation, the Tourism Development Manager at Tourism Vancouver Island and she’s now the Chief Executive Officer at the Alberni Chamber of Commerce – the “voice of business” for the entire region. Her view of tradition and how this is incorporated into businesses is fairly broad.

Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation | Hupačasath First Nation

Episode three

In episode three Tchadas Leo explores the differences between Food Security and Food Sovereignty focusing on the latter. He speaks with two people working to supply food and hears how Indigenous values about food are infused into Indigenous owned commercial and tourist organizations.

Up first, Tchadas Leo speaks with Aaron Hamilton, the operations manager with the Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nations. Originally from the Hupačasath First Nation, he now lives and plays near Lake Cowichan. Aaron shares how the Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation is inviting the outside world in to preserve their way of life and how food sovereignty fits into that plan.

Second interview is with Stevie Dennis, owner of NAAS Foods in Tofino, a supplier of seafood with both a local and global market. Harvested in Clayoquot Sound, Ucluelet and Port Alberni, Stevie is proud of this local, fresh, food supply.

Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation | Naas Foods

Episode four

In episode four of Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island, Tchadas Leo tackles the challenge of building strong communities keeping tradition and heritage in place despite challenges from the outside forces.

To do this, Tchadas reconnects with Gary Wilson who we met in Season One. Gary is at the heart of community building in Northwest Vancouver Island. Known as Ǧṇísḷaǧy̓ḷís
which means screeching throughout the beaches of the world as an eagle, Gary is enabling and empowering the people of Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ (Kyuquot Checleseht) to succeed on their own terms and in a manner that honours their culture.

Tchadas hears from Cyrus Singh, the CEO of KEDC, which is K’awat’si Economic Development Corporation about how a corporation sprung up around the vision of a self sustaining and enriched community.

And finally, he speaks with Cecelia Dick. She is from the Lekwungen territories and is a traditional knowledge keeper and tourism supervisor for the Songhees Nation.

Each of these community leaders shares their success in building the future through sharing the lessons from the past.

Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations | K’awat’si Economic Development LP (KEDC) | Songhees Nation

Episode five

In the final episode of this second series, Tchadas Leo touches on one of the core values of Indigenous People on Vancouver Island and that is their relationship with the land. Environmental Stewardship is woven through so much of what has been discussed in this series and these next guests tackle the issue directly.

The first guest is Chyanne Trenholm from Homalco First Nation. Chyanne is the General Manager for Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours in Campbell River.

The second guest is Erralyn Joseph. She is from Snuneymuxw First Nation and works as the executive advisor to Chief Mike Wyse, as well as being an elected counselor for Snuneymuxw First Nation.

The final guest is Julian Hockin-Grant, who heads Allied Certification, who has used the Indigenous stewardship vision to educate people who are visiting about where they are and how they can contribute to a more equitable Indigenous tourism industry.

Conversations with the guests explore commercial, historical and future vision for Environmental Stewardship and discuss how visitors to the area can contribute.

Homalco First Nation | Snuneymuxw First Nation | Allied Certifications Ltd.

Thank you for sharing this journey in the ancestors footsteps, a production of Everything Podcasts, sponsored by 4VI. A social enterprise in business to ensure travel is a force for good for Vancouver Island – forever.

As part of StrongerBC: British Columbia’s Economic Recovery Plan, the Targeted Regional Tourism Initiative (TRTDI) is one of three infrastructure investment programs that funded this project. 4VI is appreciative of the opportunity to develop this project, produced by Everything Podcasts.