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

Rez Daddy, also known as Madeline Terbasket, performs a drag act at Penticton’s Dream Cafe on syilx territory on June 4 during the kick off of the South Okanagan Similkameen Pride Society’s month-long Pride celebrations. Photo by Aaron Hemens

South Okanagan Similkameen Pride Society kicks off month-long celebrations

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● June 14, 2022 November 8, 2022

The crowd at the Dream Cafe was treated to a night of poetry, mixes of Fusion and Raqs Sharqi dancing, and drag acts full of outlandish song and dance.

A grassy field is shown, with people walking around and across it. In the background, a large green hill sits against a blue sky with white clouds.

Aaron Hemens shares his 2022 intentions as Okanagan Storyteller

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● First Person ● June 9, 2022 November 8, 2022

‘To tell the community’s story, I need to be part of the community, I need to be there.’

c̓ʔak̕ʷm Jennifer Lewis, the wellness manager of Okanagan Nation Alliance, participates in a drum song prior to the start of the 14th annual Spirit of syilx Youth Unity Run outside of the Kamloops Indian Residential “School” in Secwepemc territory on June 3. Photo by Aaron Hemens

Annual Spirit of syilx Youth Unity Run begins with honouring of residential ‘school’ survivors

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● June 7, 2022 November 8, 2022

More than 100 syilx youth gathered at the site of the former residential “school” to kick off this year’s run

Seth Spotted-Eagle, a syilx and Dene (Navajo) dancer, participates in a Grand Entry Powwow that was hosted at the Okanagan Indian Band’s grand reopening of their Cultural Arbor on May 28. Photo by Aaron Hemens

Okanagan Indian Band celebrates return of Cultural Arbor with long-awaited gathering

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Features ● May 31, 2022 November 8, 2022

After weathering a pandemic and wildfires, the community was finally able to celebrate the reopening of the outdoor gathering space.

Kim English, the regional community development co-ordinator of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen, and Kelly Terbasket, the director and co-founder of IndigenEYEZ. English and Terbasket are spearheading the Table Talks program. Photo by Madeline Terbasket

Table Talks program will bring reconciliation discussions to the kitchen table

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● May 31, 2022 November 8, 2022

The sessions are designed to promote relationship-building and to breathe life into sqilx’w beliefs and teachings.

The Okanagan Indian Band’s newly constructed Cultural Arbor will have its grand reopening on May 28. Photo provided by Nick Nilsen.

Okanagan Indian Band to host grand reopening of Cultural Arbor

By Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● News ● May 26, 2022 November 8, 2022

‘So many memories were made with the previous arbor and many great memories will be made here,’ said Chief Byron Louis