Author

Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Aaron Hemens is a photographer, journalist and visitor in unceded syilx territory. He is Filipino on his mom’s side, and has both French and British roots on his dad’s. As a settler, he is committed to learning and unlearning in his role as Okanagan Storyteller, and to accurately and respectfully tell stories of Indigenous peoples throughout the region. Aaron’s work is supported in part with funding from the Local Journalism Initiative in partnership with The Discourse and APTN.

Aaron Hemens,'s Latest Articles

mhuya Bill Cohen, a syilx professor at UBC-Okanagan (UBCO) and a member of the Co-Curricular-Making research team, sits inside of a board room at the university in syilx homelands on March 10. Photo by Aaron Hemens

‘It makes me very hopeful’: Education project brings syilx teachings into classrooms

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Features ● April 4, 2023 April 6, 2023

The Co-Curricular-Making project is helping Okanagan educators and students learn the true history and legacy of the lands they’re on

A person attending the Okanagan Nation Alliance’s eighth annual syilx siwɬkʷ (Water) Forum in the district of “Summerland” in syilx homelands takes a picture of kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) from the shore of cnxəlkip (Sun-Oka Beach Park) on March 22. Photo by Aaron Hemens

After a century of damage, syilx caretakers are restoring nluxʷluxʷɬcwix

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● March 29, 2023 March 30, 2023

During the ONA’s annual syilx siwɬkʷ (Water) Forum, people visited the creek which is in the process of being rejuvenated

Secwépemc Hereditary Chief Saw-ses stands outside of Tkʼemlúps (Kamloops) courthouse in Secwepemcúl'ecw during the first day of his sentencing on Thursday, Feb. 23. Saw-ses was sentenced to 28 days in jail for resisting Trans Mountain’s construction in his homelands. Photo by Aaron Hemens

‘There’s no respect’: Judge’s comments shock KIRS survivor as land defenders given jail time

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● February 24, 2023 March 14, 2023

As sentences were handed out to six people, a Secwépemc Matriarch has already appealed over ‘blatant bias’ in favour of TMX

Members of the Indigenous Harm Reduction Team, which is leading the knknxtəwix̌ program. From left to right: Elder mentor Dianna Watson (Anishinaabe), peer supporter Marley Isnardy (Chilcotin), project manager Ali Butler (syilx), Edna Terbasket (syilx), nurse Crystal Smallboy (Cree), social worker Tonya Robitaille (Anishinaabe/Métis), and peer supporter Alyxandra Lezard (syilx). Photo provided

New harm-reduction program in kiʔlawnaʔ focused on cultural wellness

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● February 17, 2023 February 17, 2023

knknxtəwix̌ (We Walk Hand in Hand) wants to go beyond the frontlines to make changes within the system itself

Lisa Luscombe, the owner of Fireweeds Boutique, stands inside of the store in kiʔlawnaʔ (Kelowna) in syilx homelands on Jan. 30. Photo by Aaron Hemens

Boutique adds Indigenous representation to kiʔlawnaʔ’s downtown

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● February 9, 2023 February 9, 2023

Lisa Luscombe opened Fireweeds Boutique in the fall of 2022 — and the business is the culmination of a longtime passion

Khursten Bullock, a Cree land defender from Treaty 7 in “Saskatchewan,” poses in front of a tipi that was assembled along the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) project’s route in “Burnaby” on Jan. 21. Photo by Aaron Hemens

Land defenders build tipi along TMX construction route in ‘Burnaby’

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● January 31, 2023 January 31, 2023

The structure was put up as a reminder that the 1,150-km pipeline is being built without consent on unceded Indigenous homelands