VYPER- Visionary Youth Peers for Equity and Revitalization is a youth-governed group for urbanized and non-urbanized indigenous youth in the provincial BC area. Based out of Matsqui-Abbotsford Impact Society, a diverse team of youth look to foster the revitalization and adaptation of indigenous culture for all first peoples peoples in the BC area.
VYPER acknowledges that the land on which we primarily operate is situated in the stolen ancestral territories of the Semá:th and Màthexwi first nations. We remain conscious and reflective of this fact during our daily activities. Learn more
Marcella is Anishinabek, Ojibwe from Fishing Lake First Nation, Wadena, Saskatchewan. She is 22 years old and currently the coordinator for VYPER- Visionary Youth Peers for Equity & Revitalization.
Helena is from Xa’xtsa First Nation. She currently resides in Vancouver. Helena has extensive history with facilitating and coordinating youth governed groups in Mission BC.
Proud to be from Haisla, Gitxsan, and Duck Bay First Nation.
Angie currently resides on the Traditional territories of the ‘Snuneymuxw, Snaw-Naw-As, Quw’utsun and Tla’amin.’ Angie is passionate about social justice.
Pavel's family comes from the fort McKay Cree nation which is located in treaty six territory. I spend a lot of my time practicing my culture which includes, making Quillwork, attending Powwows, Round dances and ceremonies.
Nova is from the Skuppah reserve in Lytton. They currently reside in Chilliwack BC, and play a vital role in VYPER's leadership and daily operation.
Nicole's family is from the East Coast from the Huron and Nippising First Nations. Nicole is committed to Indigenous cultural revitalization and does a lot of work with the local neurodivergent community.
Megan Metz, q̓éndaux̄ʷ, hails from the Haisla Nation on the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. She is 24 years old and a member of the black fish clan. She holds a First Nations Language Certificate in x̄á’islak̓ala from the University of Northern British Columbia as well as an Associate of Arts Degree from Okanagan College. Megan is passionate about mental health advocacy, language reclamation, and cultural revival.
Isaiah Harris is a screenwriter from the Stz'uminus First Nation on Vancouver Island. Our team met Isaiah at an Emerging Indigenous Writers workshop- we connected instantly and knew Isaiah had to join us on our VYPER Journey.
Thanks to our Summer Students! t’s the VYPER – Visionary Youth Peers for Equity & Revitalization Summer Students last day today. What an honour to get to know each of these students, their skills & Read more…
WHAT UP What UP people! TONIGHT is our weekly Pow wow- we only have four left before summer! This is open to everyone, so feel free to come in, check out the vendors, eat some Read more…
New: Powwow Dance Classes Join Angie Calhoun & Angel Desjarlais EVERY WEDNESDAY! Jingle & fancy shawl footwork classes. 33130 Bevan Ave, 3:30PM-5:30PM. Open to anyone who wants to learn OR come practice their style. They Read more…
Stephen’s Coffee Inc.. (Stephen Armstrong) will be hosting THREE different specials for our Reclaiming Youth Powwow// St Marys Residential School pow wow. Womans Jingle (19+) 1st.) $500 2nd.) $300 3rd.) $200 Teens Jingle (13-18 years Read more…
To our beautiful community of Indigenous people & allies, First of all, THANK YOU for being at our cultural night. Thank you times a million. We atVYPER want you to know that you belong here Read more…
Our first Thursday night back was a HUGE SUCCESS! To our amazement, we had 109 attendees. The energy and the medicine were AMAZING and it was such a gift to get to see some familiar Read more…
Feel free to reach out to the VYPER team lead for your region, see full contact list. We are always looking to expand our outreach to more communities across BC. If there is no VYPER team lead listed in your area, please reach out to Marcella Sunshine to learn more and discuss how we can further our outreach to your region.
#101 32555 Simon Avenue Abbotsford, BC, V2T 4Y2
