Orene Askew is a Mixed Heritage, Two-Spirit, Queer, Indigenous, African Canadian, African American DJ. She’s also The Squamish Nation’s first mixed race spokesperson. When you meet Orene, you meet a distinct, confident, and motivated person. However, in our conversation we talk about the journey it took in order to get to where she is today. Raised in The Squamish Nation by a single mom, Orene grew up facing opposition. Early exposure to racial epithets due to her mixed heritage and the realities of a community marked by the legacy of the residential school system were just a few. As an adult she was again met with adversity when a house fire took nearly all of her belongings, and nearly took her life. Overcoming these obstacles has made Orene the strong person she is today and her upbringing in The Squamish Nation has given her a deep and beautiful knowledge of her people Guest Co-Host: Hadia Cooper