Q: What is your role with the Project?
KJ: I work alongside K’odi. I am an administrative assistant. Right now I work with him and the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation (KHFN) to make sure we stay connected. Having a connection with Nawalakw and KHFN is very important as we are in this together.
Q: How did you get involved with the Project?
KJ: I moved back to Alert Bay back in 2018. K’odi first approached me and told me he had something big coming up and that I needed to go talk to him. At the time I was working in Shoprite deli. Every now and then he would come into the store and remind me that I still needed to go talk to him. In 2019 I took off for schooling for a GIS/GPs Map Technician course. When I got back he approached me again and told me to stop by and to listen to what he had to say. I was already on my way to wanting to do something with my life that had greater meaning. I finally went to go meet him and listened to his vision. The vision had a great impact on me. I believe this is exactly what our people need. I was so excited about it that I quickly jumped on board.
Q: What has been your favourite part of the Project so far?
KJ: Do I really need to pick one part? In my eyes, everything to me has been such great moments. If I have to pick one though, I would say it would have to be the blessing of the ground. It’s when everyone came in to hear the vision and see the place that is going to be a step to revitalizing our culture. It was so great to hear the songs and dancing. It was nice to see everyone together, and all their smiles, and to hear the laughter. Moments like these put a lot of joy in my heart. It is such a great honour to be a part of this project and seeing it grow right in front of me. Being out in Hada is such a great feeling. Right from the first moment I went there, it has felt like home. I never want to leave there. I get really sad when I do and I am always looking forward to going back.
Q: What are you currently reading or watching?
KJ: I’m not reading any books at the moment but I have been watching a lot of videos on self healing and self care. I also go on Google to find steps of self healing and recognize what I need to heal from. My goal is to deal with all my past trauma and recognizing my coping mechanisms so that it no longer affects my future. Having a healthy heart and mind I think is my goal. The big push to this step is my gorgeous children Oriana, Samaira and Connor. I want them to have the best future possible.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?
KJ: I love my nature walks. I love to take hiking trails because I find it helps clear my mind and grounds me. I also like to walk the beach because there is nothing like the ocean breeze hitting your face. Which is another reason I will take as many boat rides as possible, anything to get out on that water. I am also very artistic. I love to paint and draw, crochet, sewing and recently started beading. Making beading earrings has been my latest hobby. Painting has always been my passion though. I feel you can express how you feel inside very well once you put that brush to the canvas. This world has so much beauty and I enjoy it all.
