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Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Kelsie Kilawna,'s Latest Articles

Garden beds at the Tofino Botanical Gardens
Tofino Botanical Gardens transformed to honour Indigenous knowledge and conservation

The Naa’Waya’Sum Coastal Indigenous Gardens will provide place-based education and inspiration to support Indigenous-led conservation.

City of Kelowna has 'no sense of urgency' to deal with racism, say Black artists who are working to make the city more inclusive
City of Kelowna has no sense of urgency to deal with racism say Black artists

“This is a city where it's easier for somebody to put out a universal symbol of anti-Black racism than it is for Black people to get space to curate their own show,” says Trophy Ewila.

Jereme Brooks believes he'll be the first syilx person to serve as a public representative for the B.C. Law Society tribunal
From ‘street kid’ to public rep for the Law Society of BC tribunal

Jereme Brooks, who is syilx, plans to challenge the ‘mainstream Canadian lens’ and be part of restorative actions in his new role.

After a hard year, members from the Okanagan Indian Band had a Halloween to remember

Erica Clarke, whose family was gravely impacted by the wildfires, organized an uplifting event for her community.

Pope's planned visit to so-called Canada is little more than a “publicity exercise on the part of the Vatican,” says OKIB Chief Byron Louis.
Okanagan Chief questions sincerity of possible visit from Pope

‘I wouldn't be worried about our forgiveness. I would be worried about … the crimes that were committed in God's name,’ says OKIB’s Chief Byron Louis.

Ashley Michel called out Prime Minister Trudeau for 'words and broken promises' during his visit to Tk’emlups te Secwépemc on Oct. 18
Trudeau called out for ‘words and broken promises’ by Secwépemc mom

Ashley Michel stood and addressed Prime Minister Trudeau during his visit to Tk’emlups te Secwépemc (Kamloops, B.C.) on Monday.

meme garden helps capq̕ʷicyaʔ, also known as Alexa Manuel, deal with hard times — as syilx People have been doing since time immemorial
When Trudeau goes to Tofino, capq̕ʷicyaʔ goes to her meme garden

capq̕ʷicyaʔ, also known as Alexa Manuel, says she uses humour to deal with hard times — as syilx People have been doing since time immemorial.

New ceremony house in the Neskonlith Indian Band community will support healing says Secwépemc Matriarch Miranda Dick.
Secwépemc hereditary family builds ceremony house for healing

It will be a safe space for “winter dance, ceremonies, and sweat lodges, a place for people to land in,” says Secwépemc Matriarch Miranda Dick.

Wolverine's garden continues to fuel frontline land defenders all over Turtle Island, providing food security and sovereignty.
Food for the frontlines — honouring Indigenous ingenuity during a colonial holiday

‘Genocide is the elephant in the room,’ this Thanksgiving, says Secwépemc Matriarch Miranda Dick.

Taking Back the Dinner is about reclaiming our history, says Jessica Hernandez, an Indigenous scholar at the University of Washington on Duwamish lands.
‘Taking Back the Dinner’ is about reclaiming our history, says Indigenous scientist

Now is a good time to reflect on the food you’re giving thanks for, says Jessica Hernandez.