Author

Athena Bonneau, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

My ancestry includes Okanagan Syilx and Northern Cree. I was born and raised on the unceded territory of the Penticton Indian Reserve. My journalism experience includes working as the Indigenous correspondent for Global Okanagan. I am passionate about representing Indigenous Peoples in today’s world, while respecting and acknowledging history, following traditional protocol, and producing truthful work with integrity as an Indigenous woman. Athena’s work is supported in part with funding from the Local Journalism Initiative in partnership with The Discourse and APTN.

Athena Bonneau,'s Latest Articles

Cree author’s poetry book meant to empower Indigenous kids
Cree author’s poetry book meant to empower Indigenous kids

The Way Creator Sees You by Shayla Raine is intended to help children embrace their Indigenous heritage and features

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner's new report outlines racial disparities found in policing towards Indigenous Peoples
Systemic racism in policing across unceded territories in B.C. demands reform says Human Rights Commissioner

New report shows Indigenous Peoples are ‘grossly overrepresented’ in arrests and chargeable incidents.

Drag bingo fundraisers held at Theo’s Restaurant raise money for local residential ‘school’ survivors
Drag bingo fundraisers raises money for local residential ‘school’ survivors

More than $8000 raised for syilx survivors.

Corporal Justin George (swʔw̓ikist) of the Penticton Indian Band is being honoured through the Remembrance Day Sentry program
Penticton Indian Band member honoured through Remembrance Day Sentry program

swʔw̓ikist (Cpl. Justin George) is an Eagle Staff carrier with a duty to support fellow Indigenous Peoples in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Women in trades: Métis student says learning to be an electrician is amazing & Okanagan College shares how it's removing barriers for women
Métis woman says learning to be an electrician is ‘amazing’

'With electrical, I'm always thinking, I'm always on my feet, always moving,’ says Okanagan College student Alanah Coss.

Skaha Creek wildfire in syilx territory on Penticton Indian Band land
New wildfire in syilx territory on Penticton Indian Band land

The fire started Saturday and is listed as out of control. No evacuation orders yet.

Joe Alphonse
‘It was a team effort,’ says Chief Joe Alphonse on receiving the Order of B.C.

Tl’etinqox Chief and Tsilhqot’in National Government tribal chair Joe Alphonse is one of 16 recipients of the Order of British Columbia.

clean drinking water
The Lhoosk’uz Dené village near Quesnel celebrates clean drinking water

Community worked with UBC and RESEAU Centre for Mobilizing Innovation to develop sustainable water source.

Syilx artist and community leader contributes to UBCO’s public art collection
Syilx artist and community leader contributes to UBCO’s public art collection

Sheldon Pierre Louis’s painting celebrates the strength of Indigenous women.

Residential school survivor Jack Kruger shares stories about his experience at St. Eugene’s Mission Residential School in Cranbrook, B.C.
Survivor shares stories from church-run residential school St. Eugene’s in B.C.

‘All I want to do is let the truth be known, some of the horrors that happened,’ says Jack Kruger.