Billie Jean Gabriel
I am a syilx woman from the Penticton Indian Band. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a professional photographer and founded my business seven years ago. I also unschool my three children and operate a hobby farm near Ashcroft, BC. I studied Liberal Arts at Thompson River University, have been published in the Globe and Mail and am currently training my first horse. My professional niche as a photographer is heart-centred, trauma-informed, on-the-land portraiture. In my new role with the Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative, I focus on listening and co-creating the collective narrative with the people of our lands to help bring the salmon home.
Billie Jean Gabriel
I am a syilx woman from the Penticton Indian Band. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a professional photographer and founded my business seven years ago. I also unschool my three children and operate a hobby farm near Ashcroft, BC. I studied Liberal Arts at Thompson River University, have been published in the Globe and Mail and am currently training my first horse. My professional niche as a photographer is heart-centred, trauma-informed, on-the-land portraiture. In my new role with the Bringing the Salmon Home Initiative, I focus on listening and co-creating the collective narrative with the people of our lands to help bring the salmon home.
Emelia Symington Fedy
Emilia grew up in Armstrong, BC. She has worked as an essayist, storyteller and documentary producer for CBC Radio and is the co-artistic director of The Chop Theatre, with over 25 playwriting credits to her name. She is the creator of the popular blog and radio show that became an audiobook, Trying to Be Good: The Healing Powers of Lying, Cheating, Stealing, and Drugs (Author’s Republic, 2017). After living an urban life for many years, Symington-Fedy and her family are now enjoying life in the Shuswap, on their
rural property near a lake.
Emelia Symington Fedy
Emilia grew up in Armstrong, BC. She has worked as an essayist, storyteller and documentary producer for CBC Radio and is the co-artistic director of The Chop Theatre, with over 25 playwriting credits to her name. She is the creator of the popular blog and radio show that became an audiobook, Trying to Be Good: The Healing Powers of Lying, Cheating, Stealing, and Drugs (Author’s Republic, 2017). After living an urban life for many years, Symington-Fedy and her family are now enjoying life in the Shuswap, on their
rural property near a lake.
Georgia Goerz
Georgia Goerz is a self-taught artist with a passion for pencil drawings and acrylic paintings. Her paintings and drawings focus on the human mind and figure, while mixing many different themes and genres throughout, including expressionism, realism and art nouveau. She loves to explore new art techniques, and is always looking for new ways to express herself into her art. She currently lives in the great Okanagan but has lived in Edmonton as well, and is excited to continue creating live art.
Georgia Goerz
Georgia Goerz is a self-taught artist with a passion for pencil drawings and acrylic paintings. Her paintings and drawings focus on the human mind and figure, while mixing many different themes and genres throughout, including expressionism, realism and art nouveau. She loves to explore new art techniques, and is always looking for new ways to express herself into her art. She currently lives in the great Okanagan but has lived in Edmonton as well, and is excited to continue creating live art.
Julia Mackey
Julia Mackey was born in Birmingham, England. Her family moved to Canada when she was three years old. She grew up in Montreal, and received a Bachelor of Education degree from McGill University before heading out west in 1993 to pursue a career in Theatre.
In 1995, she started writing and performing her own work with the innovative Victoria based company, Theatre SKAM.
In August 2012, Julia received a a Betty Mitchell Calgary Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama. Jake’s Gift was also nominated for Outstanding Production.
Over the past 25 years, Julia has worked on over 50 theatre productions in theatres across Canada. Some favourite roles include ‘Sally’ in Electric Company Theatre’s, All the Way Home, ‘Gwendolyn’ in Chemainus Theatre Festival’s, The Odd Couple, and ‘Puck’ in a The Whistlepig Players’ outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Barkerville, BC.
Julia Mackey
Julia Mackey was born in Birmingham, England. Her family moved to Canada when she was three years old. She grew up in Montreal, and received a Bachelor of Education degree from McGill University before heading out west in 1993 to pursue a career in Theatre.
In 1995, she started writing and performing her own work with the innovative Victoria based company, Theatre SKAM.
In August 2012, Julia received a a Betty Mitchell Calgary Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama. Jake’s Gift was also nominated for Outstanding Production.
Over the past 25 years, Julia has worked on over 50 theatre productions in theatres across Canada. Some favourite roles include ‘Sally’ in Electric Company Theatre’s, All the Way Home, ‘Gwendolyn’ in Chemainus Theatre Festival’s, The Odd Couple, and ‘Puck’ in a The Whistlepig Players’ outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Barkerville, BC.
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Kym Gouchie
Lheidli T’enneh artist, storyteller, performer, and cultural ambassador Kym Gouchie celebrates the healing power of music and the joyful spirit of childhood that resonates within us all. Her show is a family-oriented experience, featuring heartwarming songs for listeners of all ages from her new album Shun betnats’ujeh (we heal through songs).
With her traditional hand drum, acoustic guitar, full-bodied voice, and authentic storytelling, Kym Gouchie gives us the gamut, from catchy melodies that inspire playful moments to gentle lullabies that soothe the soul.
Kym is dedicated to preserving Indigenous traditions – her life and work are deeply rooted in cultural meaning and importance – and while she tickles her audience, she also instills in them an appreciation for her ancestral learnings and languages. A devoted mother and grandmother, she is a pillar of her ever-expanding global community, guiding others toward healing and reconciliation through her artistry. She unites diverse audiences in celebration of Indigenous heritage.
"When Kym performs, her audience is immediately engaged by her genuine love for people, song, and culture. She has the rare gift of being able to connect with children and adults alike through her storytelling lyrics and her mesmerizing voice."
- Julie Fisher, BC School District 57 teacher
Kym Gouchie
Lheidli T’enneh artist, storyteller, performer, and cultural ambassador Kym Gouchie celebrates the healing power of music and the joyful spirit of childhood that resonates within us all. Her show is a family-oriented experience, featuring heartwarming songs for listeners of all ages from her new album Shun betnats’ujeh (we heal through songs).
With her traditional hand drum, acoustic guitar, full-bodied voice, and authentic storytelling, Kym Gouchie gives us the gamut, from catchy melodies that inspire playful moments to gentle lullabies that soothe the soul.
Kym is dedicated to preserving Indigenous traditions – her life and work are deeply rooted in cultural meaning and importance – and while she tickles her audience, she also instills in them an appreciation for her ancestral learnings and languages. A devoted mother and grandmother, she is a pillar of her ever-expanding global community, guiding others toward healing and reconciliation through her artistry. She unites diverse audiences in celebration of Indigenous heritage.
"When Kym performs, her audience is immediately engaged by her genuine love for people, song, and culture. She has the rare gift of being able to connect with children and adults alike through her storytelling lyrics and her mesmerizing voice."
- Julie Fisher, BC School District 57 teacher
Maria Alexis
Maria Alexis
Natalie Hobbs
Natalie Hobbs earned a dance diploma from MacEwan University in 2002 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Simon Fraser University in 2004. She has choreographed for professional venues in Vancouver, the BC Interior and Newfoundland and worked as a dance teacher in several professional studios. Natalie has been teaching and performing swing dance for over nine years and has attended numerous swing dance workshops, lectures, and community events. In 2021 she completed the Lindy Hop Teacher's Academy online with Asa and Daniel Heedman. She began teaching in Kelowna (Okanagan Swing Dance) in the Fall, 2022.
Natalie Hobbs
Natalie Hobbs earned a dance diploma from MacEwan University in 2002 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Simon Fraser University in 2004. She has choreographed for professional venues in Vancouver, the BC Interior and Newfoundland and worked as a dance teacher in several professional studios. Natalie has been teaching and performing swing dance for over nine years and has attended numerous swing dance workshops, lectures, and community events. In 2021 she completed the Lindy Hop Teacher's Academy online with Asa and Daniel Heedman. She began teaching in Kelowna (Okanagan Swing Dance) in the Fall, 2022.
Rosalie Yazzie
Rosalie is Syilx from the Okanagan Indian Band with ancestral ties to the Secwépemc Nation. She is the Vice-Chair of the BC First Nations Justice Council and an 11-year member of the Law Society of British Columbia. Rosalie holds a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from Simon Fraser University in Indigenous Business & Leadership.
Ms. Yazzie owns and operates Nesika Law Corporation which specializes in Aboriginal law, title and rights and Nation rebuilding. She is a passionate champion for Nation building approaches based in traditional governance values, customs and First Nations legal traditions. Her firm supports First Nations clients to achieve their governance and institutional development goals through sound policy, strategic engagement, and communication.
Ms. Yazzie applies a unique lens to her practice, earned through decades of professional experience in First Nations political advocacy, human rights, and social development issues including – child welfare, health and education.
Ms. Yazzie currently serves as general counsel to the Chiefs Executive Council of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and is a past member of the Law Society of B.C.’s Truth and Reconciliation Advisory Committee. She is a member of the Columbia River Treaty Negotiations Advisory Team and has recently been appointed to the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust 2021 Legislative Review Committee. Rosalie is Chair of the Implementation Team for Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative.
Rosalie Yazzie
Rosalie is Syilx from the Okanagan Indian Band with ancestral ties to the Secwépemc Nation. She is the Vice-Chair of the BC First Nations Justice Council and an 11-year member of the Law Society of British Columbia. Rosalie holds a Juris Doctor from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from Simon Fraser University in Indigenous Business & Leadership.
Ms. Yazzie owns and operates Nesika Law Corporation which specializes in Aboriginal law, title and rights and Nation rebuilding. She is a passionate champion for Nation building approaches based in traditional governance values, customs and First Nations legal traditions. Her firm supports First Nations clients to achieve their governance and institutional development goals through sound policy, strategic engagement, and communication.
Ms. Yazzie applies a unique lens to her practice, earned through decades of professional experience in First Nations political advocacy, human rights, and social development issues including – child welfare, health and education.
Ms. Yazzie currently serves as general counsel to the Chiefs Executive Council of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and is a past member of the Law Society of B.C.’s Truth and Reconciliation Advisory Committee. She is a member of the Columbia River Treaty Negotiations Advisory Team and has recently been appointed to the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust 2021 Legislative Review Committee. Rosalie is Chair of the Implementation Team for Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative.
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Tarcila Neves
A mixed Afro-Indigenous Portuguese woman and an emerging artist, I grew up in the vibrant Gueto district of Rio de Janeiro, where art has always been my solace and my passion. From a young age, I immersed myself in fine arts studies.
After graduating in Industrial Design, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration. I worked in different fields, saving every penny to pursue my dream of studying digital art in Toronto and concept art in Vancouver.
I'm passionate about making art accessible to all. I specialize in creating augmented reality experiences accompanied by audio descriptions, aiming to make art accessible to everyone, including those with visual impairments.
In 2024, I achieved a significant milestone: my first selection for an immersive installation at the Port of Oak Bay. It was deeply meaningful as my dad, who passed away earlier this year, was my constant source of support and inspiration.
Tarcila Neves
A mixed Afro-Indigenous Portuguese woman and an emerging artist, I grew up in the vibrant Gueto district of Rio de Janeiro, where art has always been my solace and my passion. From a young age, I immersed myself in fine arts studies.
After graduating in Industrial Design, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and artistic exploration. I worked in different fields, saving every penny to pursue my dream of studying digital art in Toronto and concept art in Vancouver.
I'm passionate about making art accessible to all. I specialize in creating augmented reality experiences accompanied by audio descriptions, aiming to make art accessible to everyone, including those with visual impairments.
In 2024, I achieved a significant milestone: my first selection for an immersive installation at the Port of Oak Bay. It was deeply meaningful as my dad, who passed away earlier this year, was my constant source of support and inspiration.
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