Author

Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

I’m a Sqilxw (Syilx/Indigenous) woman who was born and raised in Inkumupulux (the head of Okanagan Lake). I am a storyteller, photographer and experienced listener. As a reporter, I have a passion for sharing stories that normalize our way of life so that future generations have a place to safely recognize self.

Kelsie’s work is supported in part with funding from the Local Journalism Initiative in partnership with The Discourse and APTN.

Kelsie's Latest Articles

A syilx woman sits, smiling.

kɬúsx̌nítkʷ, the original and accurate name for ‘Okanagan Lake’

By Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter ● Features ● February 1, 2023

skawilx (Sarah) Alexis shares what it means and how all those living on syilx homelands are called to care for it

Indigenous boutique opens on Secwépemc homelands

By Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter ● Okanagan ● May 26, 2022

Red Hummingbird Boutique is an Indigenous Boutique that carries uniquely created and upcycled items and is open until September 2022.

Duncan McCue

How Duncan McCue approached his new hard-hitting podcast, ‘Kuper Island’

By Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter ● Vancouver Island ● May 20, 2022

Duncan McCue goes in-depth with IndigiNews to share what it took to create the hard-hitting podcast ‘Kuper Island’

We don’t need another ally

By Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter ● Okanagan ● May 3, 2022

Will you be our accomplice?

Justen Peters

‘Honesty is a spiritual power’: OKIB Youth Justen Peters of BCAFN shares his journey

By Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter ● Okanagan ● April 26, 2022

Justen Peters was inspired by how economic prosperity could improve the health of his community

Garden beds at the Tofino Botanical Gardens

Tofino Botanical Gardens transformed to honour Indigenous knowledge and conservation

By Shalu Mehta & Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative reporter ● Features ● April 7, 2022

The Naa’Waya’Sum Coastal Indigenous Gardens will provide place-based education and inspiration to support Indigenous-led conservation.