2025 Indigenous Cultural Ambassador - Elder Barbara Whyte (Billy)
The Hornby Festival conducts all Indigenous programming under the cultural direction of, and in deep relationship with, a local Coast Salish, Pentlatch Elder and member of the K’ómoks Nation. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support, guidance, cultural education, and care provided by Elder Barbara Whyte (Billy). Elder Barb is the daughter of a Deep Bay First Nation fisherwoman who fished in the Salish Sea off the shores of Hornby Island and Deep Bay, and of the late Sonny (Emmerson) Billy, Chief of the Pentlatch people, passed down from his father, Chief Willy Billy. She is a traditional knowledge keeper, healer, holder of the Pentlatch healing wand, and an expert in traditional plant medicine. She also serves as an Indigenous health consultant for major hospital building projects and for institutions such as UBC and the Faculty of Pharmacy.
All profits from our Indigenous programming go into the Elder Barb Fund to support future Indigenous cultural activities and educational initiatives on Hornby Island that contribute to education for awareness for change.

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2025 Indigenous Artists-in-Residence and honoured guests of Elder Barbara Whyte (Billy).

Cory Cliffe, of the Laichwildaux Nation, is the president and co-founder of 7 Generations Stewards Society. He has worked in the environmental field for over 15 years. During that time, he developed a passion for learning about and creating traditional medicine, as well as combating the spread of invasive species impacting his territory.

Vanessa Sharkey, of the Paskawat Cree First Nation and married into the Laichwildaux Nation, is the Executive Director of 7 Generations and leads programming on medicinal plant identification, preparation, and usage. Her plant knowledge extends into foraging and survival food workshops.

Jake Sharkey, whose bloodlines come from Klahoose First Nation and Paskwāw Cree First Nation, has been learning from his mother, Vanessa, and Cory for many years now. Becoming a young leader in his community is a calling that reached his ears at an early age, from helping at his school as a cultural support peer to participating in potlatch preparation and ceremony. Jake loves to be on the land doing anything and everything he can to learn more about his ancestors’ way of life and bringing it back to the forefront of today’s focus.

Hwiemtun is from the unceded traditional territory of the Quw’utsun’ people on Vancouver Island. Born and raised in Khowutzun territory (the ‘Warm Land’) by a Coast Salish mother, Hwiemtun received many teachings of his Coast Salish culture. Through many years spent with Elders, he learned the cultural and spiritual traditions of his ancestors. He is also of Hawaiian lineage on his father’s side. For over 30 years, Hwiemtun has journeyed around the world to share and explore Indigenous ways of being with Elders and healers from many tribes. His connection to the spirit world, passion for storytelling, and dedication to sharing Indigenous knowledge have made him an intercultural teacher and guide. Hwiemtun uses oral history, music, and ceremony to nurture personal and collective transformation. He believes we are all related in some way, and that this understanding is key to achieving knowledge. He regularly conducts presentations, workshops, and ceremonies to promote awareness of Indigenous ways of knowing.