Our Collaborative

Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee —
FOUNDER & CEO

Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, is a decolonial creative & strategist catalyzing social change to transform colonial narratives & impacts. She works within the intersection of class, culture and creativity focusing on social change through communications and deep engagement. Ta7talíya’s collaborations have influenced opinions, changed behaviours and mobilized community action. She is the designer of a life-size board game called Sínulhkay and Ladders.

Her facilitated workshops aim to answer the question “what now” in this era of truth & reconciliation. Her approach earned her the 2019 City of Vancouver Award of Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. Michelle is also a 2020 Dialogue Associate with the Simon Fraser University Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. She is aslo the author and designer of a two decolonizing workbooks and is currently writing a full-length creative non-fiction about her decolonizing journey.

Ta7talíya Paisley Eva Nahanee — LEAD DECOLONIAL FACILITATOR

Ta7talíya Paisley Eva hails from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation village of Eslha7an and is based in what is colonially known as “Vancouver”. 
She currently lends her facilitation skills to Decolonizing Practices, M̓i tel'nexw Leadership Society and The Fireweed Fellowship. She is also part of the duo behind MST Futurism, a project which focuses on uplifting and celebrating Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh visions for the future.

She also works as DJ and believes in decolonizing every aspect of life including the music industry. She’s currently throws innovative and inclusive parties on Zoom featuring BIPOC DJs and performers. As well as working on opening a fully equipped DJ studio called Cue Club which will offer low barrier and by-donation access to sound equipment as well as weekly DJ lessons for BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and disabled folks. 
Her work is based in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh teachings and all about sharing equity with marginalized bodies.

Jamie-Leigh Gonzales — DIRECTOR, CULTURE & COLLABORATION

Jamie-Leigh is a Portuguese/Squamish filmmaker, podcast creator, photographer, and poet living on the stolen land of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people. With a passion for technology and storytelling, Jamie-Leigh has become dedicated to her multimedia practices; through the creation of engaging content, she hopes to stimulate meaningful dialogue that challenges the status quo and encourages systemic change. She is a cofounder and technical lead at Grounded Futures: a media and mentorship collaborative. At Nahanee Creative, Jamie-Leigh is a creative partner, fierce protector and collaborations builder.

Kota Gallipeau — DECOLONIAL FACILITATOR

Kota Gallipeau is a Transgender, Two Spirit Kanyen'kehá:ka/French youth worker and DJ based in so-called 'Vancouver'. Since moving to the West Coast in early 2016 he has been involved in Indigenous queer youth projects, curated youth events and workshops and participated in multiple frontline land defence actions. Grounding and centring his work around his teachings and relations to what it means to be a Trans, Two Spirit person, navigation Settler Colonialism and harmful cis-heteronormativity. Kota strives to be accountable to his communities and provide dialogue, opportunity, platforms and creative safe spaces for Indigenous youth and relatives to thrive and be joyous.

Find his music on his soundcloud here.