Women, Culture and Business

The second season of Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island continues the exploration of the history, culture, and role of Indigenous Peoples 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 Indigenous art and apparel.
• Ali Assu of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation 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.

About this series
Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island is a presentation of 4VI (formerly known as Tourism Vancouver Island), a social enterprise in business to ensure travel is a force for good for Vancouver Island - forever. From its breathtaking vistas to the inspiring talents of its people, Vancouver Island is the definition of a “must-see” destination. In this series, Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island, 4VI showcases the talents of Indigenous entrepreneurs and their stories of how they have found a way to honour and preserve their traditions while succeeding in a very competitive marketplace. Host Tchadas Leo is of the Homalco First Nation, and writer Trevor Jang is of Witset First Nation. The Cover Art is the work of Ivy Cargill Martin from Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

Canada's True West Coast
Vancouver Island, located on Canada’s West Coast, is known for its mild climate, abundance, and relaxed way of life. This region is defined by its ancient rainforests, rugged coastlines, and cool waters of the Pacific Ocean, creating an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities and peaceful getaways.

Vancouver Island spans 460 kilometers long, from the provincial capital of Victoria to the far-reaching beaches of Cape Scott Provincial Park. Several small islands, the Gulf Islands and Discovery Islands are found between the Salish Sea and Discovery Passage, respectively.

4VI gratefully acknowledges that we live, work, and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Coast Salish peoples.

Produced by Everything Podcasts
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What is Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island?

Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island is a presentation of 4VI (formerly known as Tourism Vancouver Island), a social enterprise in business to ensure travel is a force for good for Vancouver Island - forever. From its breathtaking vistas to the inspiring talents of its people, Vancouver Island is the definition of a “must-see” destination. In the first season, Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island, 4VI showcases the talents of Indigenous entrepreneurs and their stories of how they have found a way to honour and preserve their traditions while succeeding in a very competitive marketplace.