Discover the inspiring journey of an Indigenous snowboarder whose passion for the sport blossomed in Whistler. From early challenges to mentoring the next generation, she balances adventure and respect for the land, empowering youth to embrace their identity and pursue their dreams.
Where did your passion for snowboarding start? What hill did you start on? What about snowboarding stood out to you more than other sports?
When I was 15 I got my first job at a coffee shop in Whistler Village. I would see the snowboard instructors walking through the village and I thought they looked really cool. I saved my first two pay cheques and bought my first snowboard. I didn’t know what I was getting into but I had a friend teach me. She took me to the top of Whistler Gondola and just told me to do what she was doing. I broke my wrist later that day, but I loved the sport. I was back up a week later with a cast.
What are some of the most memorable or unique snowboard destinations you’ve visited, and what made them special?
I spent a season in Chamonix with my boyfriend, Morgan. That was the first time I went into the backcountry. He was a ski patroller and taught me everything I knew up until my Canadian Avalanche Association Avalanche Operations Level 1. So I guess you can say, that is where my career and ambitions started.
We also did a season in Niseko, Japan, where I was able to tail guide a little bit and really got to see where splitboarding could take me. I’ve always learned new sports in the best destinations. Snowboarding and mountain biking was in Whistler, backcountry was in Chamonix and climbing was the Gorge du Verdon.
How do you balance the thrill of travelling to different hills and snowboarding with the need to respect the natural grounds?
I am constantly learning. When I travel to a new place, I do my best to research the local Indigenous people. It’s so important to know whose land you’re on. When I came home after travelling for two years, I had butterflies in my heart when I came back into Pemberton Valley, knowing I was on my own land. That is how important it is to us as Indigenous people, so I try my hardest to learn about the lands I’m on and learn about the people who have taken care of those lands.
Can you share an experience where the natural beauty of a destination significantly impacted your performance or outlook?
So many places have impacted me and my outlook on life. Mount Fuji was one. I had seen so many photos, but when I was actually in its presence, I felt the love and nurturing it gave. Ulluru in Australia, I felt the strength and resilience that it provides to the Indigenous people. My home territory, I dream of Ts’zil (Mount Currie) all the time. It’s power; it gives me strength every time I look up at it. I feel like people all over the world feel these feelings when they look at these beautiful natural wonders.
What’s the most challenging aspect of travelling to snowboard events or competitions, and how do you overcome it?
Being away from the ones you love is always a hard thing. The highs of being an athlete are so high, but the lows can be really low as well. I hate flying, travelling, and missing my loved ones, but when I get to where I’m going, I love everything. It’s really hard to explain.
What was it like when you first joined the First Nations Snowboard team and how does that compare to how the team is now? What was your role in that change?
I joined the First Nations Snowboard Team (FNST) when I was 17; I’m now 38. A lot has changed. I joined as a competitive snowboarder, became a coach, and am now running the Líl̓wat snow program because ILSA is no longer running. I am who I am because of the FNST, and I would never give up a single day with that program. Because of the FNST, I have forged friendships, lost friends, and gained lifelong relationships with my community. I only wish to uphold those experiences for future generations.
When did you join the IWO and did your career as a snowboarding professional influence your passion for this topic?
I never had mentors as an Indigenous snowboarder. I had my friends who were also trying to make it in the snow industry. Sadly, I lost one of the two people I looked up to. It hit me hard. I actually gave up the competitive halfpipe side of me because I couldn’t handle being there without him. Jonathan Redman will always be someone I think of when I’m snowboarding. Through all the hardships, I have persevered because I know what it’s like to be a young Indigenous athlete. I know that when you have someone to look up to who looks like you, it means the world. That is why I do what I do. It’s hard being the first, but someone has to do it.
What is the number one goal you aspire to reach through all your initiatives?
I want all the little rez kids to know that they are worthy; they have a chance. I want all the “half-breeds” to know that they are Indigenous and that nobody can take that away from them.
