Pashta MaryMoon is a pan-death practitioner with Journeying Beyond, and the co-founder of CINDEA who co-sponsors her comprehensive workshop on family-led home funerals “By My Own Heart and Hands” — where participants prepare for the practical elements of doing a home funeral within their own family, group of friends, or communities. She is the former chair of the Disability Advisory Council for Dying with Dignity, is an original member of the End of Life Professionals Collective, and is a Funeral Celebrant.

http://www.cindea.ca

http://beyonds.ca/Journeying/about.html

Lycia M. Rodrigues works for Family Caregivers of BC answering a caregiver call support line that is a free available resource for unpaid family and friend caregivers across the province. Over a decade ago, she began her professional career as a psychologist in Brazil) within a public health programming context for adults who were dealing with chronic disease, which also involved facilitating health management educational workshops. She has a Masters degree in Social Dimensions of Health from the University of Victoria with a focus on Gerontology. Improving the quality of life for caregivers and older adults has been a significant part of Lycia’s vocational calling. Fueling her work is her hope that families will feel compassionately supported and will know what resources are available to them during the health challenges they are encountering together.

https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca

HAROLD C. JOE
Producer, Drama Camp Productions
As a member of Cowichan Tribes, Harold works as a cultural worker, archeology consultant, resource management technician, and filmmaker. He does this to
preserve and teach about the values and traditions of his ancestral Cowichan culture.  A graduate of the Capilano Film School, Harold’s on camera appearances includes
his work as Xavier in the first season of the web series Ollie and Emma, performing in 1491: The Untold Story of the Americas Before Columbus, as well as directing and
producing the POV documentary film Broken Down, which explores issues of homelessness in the Cowichan Valley, and The Wisdom of the River for Cowichan
Tribes. 

Harold was the Executive Producer, Writer, Co-director, and Host of the documentary Dust n’ Bones which was produced for Telus, APTN, and FNX in the USA. The feature length version of the film enjoyed a highly successful theatrical run, and is being used as a tool for Reconciliation by the Islands Trust to build better relationships between settler society and local First Nations. Dust n’ Bones has been acquired by Filmoption International for global distribution, and has been sold to NITV Australia, Maori TV New Zealand, Télé Québec, TV 5 Monde, Zoomer Media, CHEK TV, and Knowledge Network. The Cowichan School District is incorporating  Dust n’ Bones into its First Nations Curriculum for all grades.

Recently Harold’s feature documentary Tzouhalem, exploring the life of legendary Cowichan Chief Tzouhalem is currently in production through support from the
Canada Media Fund, Super Channel, CHEK TV, and American broadcaster FNX. His scripted feature The Reclamation of Steve Joe based on his work as an
Archeological Consultant is in development with plans for production in 2021. Harold offers his work through public and educational speaking engagements, youth
workshops, filmmaking, as well as sub-contracting with forestry, development, and archeology companies around issues of cultural significance. 

Harold is passionate about passing on the oral tradition and cultural teachings to our younger generations, while equally educating broader society about who First
Nations are as a People.

Michelle Staples
Iksumga
Michelle Staples is a long-term Cowichan Valley resident, a mother and has a long history of bringing people together to work through a wide variety of topics and issues. She has worked in a variety of roles in her life including as a
Keynote Speaker, Facilitator, Mentor, Storyteller, and in Film and Media. Michelle has worked with both Harold and Rob for the past 15 years on everything from Cultural Connections, Youth Film and Media, Diversity Training, Inclusive Leadership, Mentorship programs, Film Festivals, Workshops, Anti-Racism training and response and at countless community events.

Michelle’s life took a turn when she was first elected as a local City Councillor 2011. After two terms on Council, in 2018, Michelle became the first female Mayor for the
City of Duncan. In addition to her current role at the city, Michelle is employed and works as an Executive Director and a facilitator led by a team of Indigenous Elders.
Their guidance, (mostly their patience) that has helped her accept and begin to understand, the connections she has with death, dying and the importance of our
connection to the ancestors. 

She is slowly working towards a Masters in Integrated Studies and believes that nothing beats the education found in connection with others, our ancestors and
deep within ourselves.

Qwiyahwultuhw
Robert George
Cowichan Tribes member born and raised, father of 3 married 38 years, Rob has been active in the social justice movement most of his life through workshops, activism,
cultural understanding sharing teachings, drum and dance, drama over many years.

He is presently transitioning into elder hood through teaching life and culture. Elders participation is vital in all group work ceremony guidance direction. For relaxation Rob loves to bike ride and spend time with his grand-children.

Rob has taught in various settings, First Nations’  organizations, universities and public sessions.  He has authored, developed, and delivered a course curriculum for Design for Television and Film at Emily Carr College of Art & Design for third year Graphic Design students (2 semesters) as well as the BC Mentored numerous practicum Co-op students from Kwantlen, BCIT and Emily Carr College of Art and Design.