Johnny Aitken
Elder Johnny Aitken is an interdisciplinary artist, actor, writer, carver, filmmaker, activist and educator. Johnny's mixed ancestry includes Coast Salish, Scottish and Haida, and he self-identifies as a 2Spirit First Nations individual. Johnny's twenty-foot-tall carving of an Honouring Figure stands in the Emma and Felix Jack Park on Mayne Island--a park named after his grandparents from the Cowichan Tribes. As a self-proclaimed "cross-cultural bridge builder," Johnny enjoys collaborating with members of both Indigenous and Settler communities and has dedicated himself to a lifetime career in creating stories that lead to a place of healing. He lives on Mayne Island, British Columbia.
Jess Willows has had a long career as a teacher in the Gulf Islands School District of Mayne Island, British Columbia. With a bachelor's and a master's degree in education, Jess is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies at the University of Victoria while also working as a sessional instructor with the Teacher Education Program. She has been involved with Professional Development (PD) for teachers, offering workshops and serving as the PD Chair. Jess also works with the BC Teachers' Federation as a facilitator of the Teacher Inquiry Program and as a workshop facilitator throughout the province. She lives on Mayne Island, British Columbia.
Alyssa Koski is an illustrator, animator and entrepreneur. She graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design (now Alberta University of the Arts) with a major in Character Design. Alyssa specializes in whimsical and narrative-based illustration, following the themes of adventure, magic and belief in the impossible. She mostly works on children's books, graphic novels and short film 2D animation. She is also the curator of her grandma's traditional Blackfoot dress collection, which she showcases in museums, pop-up exhibits and fashion shows. She has a mixed heritage of Blackfoot and European ancestry and is a member of the Kainai Nation. She lives in her hometown of Okotoks with her family and many dogs.
