Virtual Living Library Presenters 2022 - Biographies
Bree Sproule
My name is Bree Sproule, I was born and raised in the Okanagan. I identify as a Deaf person, I have been like that since birth, and I communicate through my hands with American Sign Language. I’ve traveled the world for fun and for high level sports competitions such as the Deaf Olympics. I want to welcome you to come and learn about my journey as a minority in the big world.
Scotty Berg
Scotty Berg is a 14 year-old singer-songwriter who has performed in front of thousands. Scotty has gained popularity through his social media channels and is influenced musically by Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes. Scotty has collaborated with international writers and producers who have worked with mega artists like Jennifer Lopez, Luke Bryan and Cody Simpson, yet maintains a sense of community and humbleness by donating some of his performance earnings to Okanagan charities. Scotty is managed by Circle11 Entertainment based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Carey Newman
Carey Newman, whose traditional name is Hayalthkin’geme, is a multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author and public speaker. Through his father he is Kwakwak’awakw from the Kukwekum, Giiksam, and WaWalaby’ie clans of northern Vancouver Island, and Coast Salish from Cheam of the Sto:lo Nation along the upper Fraser Valley. Through his mother his ancestors are Settlers of English, Irish, and Scottish heritage. In his artistic practice he strives to highlight Indigenous, social, and environmental issues as he examines the impacts of colonialism and capitalism. In his efforts to drive positive change, is also interested in engaging with community and incorporating innovative methods derived from traditional teachings and Indigenous worldviews into his process. Perhaps his most influential work, The Witness Blanket, made of items collected from residential schools, government buildings and churches across Canada, deals with the subject of Truth and Reconciliation. It is now part of the collection at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Carey was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2017 and was named to the Order of British Columbia in 2018 and he was recently appointed as the inaugural Impact Chair in Indigenous Art Practices at the University of Victoria.
Freida Whales
I’m Freida Whales, the Okanagan Orca. I’m a non-binary drag queen in the Okanagan, and I’ve been doing drag for about four years. I’ve lived in the Okanagan my whole life and graduated from School District 23 in 2008. I was voted Best Drag Artist in Best of Kelowna 2021, and have been the recipient of a number of other awards as well.
Karah Hopgood
Karah Hopgood (she/her) is in her final year of studies at UBC Okanagan pursuing an Honours Degree in Biochemistry. During her final year of high school in 2017, Karah created an Instagram platform called Humans of Boucherie to share the stories of the students, staff and community members of her high school Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary. Since graduating and leaving the project behind, Karah has had incredible opportunities to share the story behind Humans of Boucherie, including speaking at conferences for SD23, TedxYouth 2020, the Digital4Good 2017 conference at Twitter Headquarters and the Digital4Good 2019 conference at Instagram and Facebook Headquarters. Throughout these past five years Humans of Boucherie has continued to grow through the leadership of different generations of Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary students. This Harmony Day, Karah would like to share her story behind Humans of Boucherie and how within this project she has found hope.
Maysaa Al Mustafa & Hakem Al Elesmer
My name is Maysaa Al Mustafa, and I am 16 years old, and in Grade 10 at Rutland Senior Secondary School. I came to Canada in 2017 with my mother and father, and my 9 siblings. I love school, and my favourite subjects are Math, Art, and Culinary Arts. In my spare time, I like to watch movies, go to my friend's houses, and go to TIm Hortons with one of my sisters.
My name is Hakem Alesmer, and I am 15 years old. I am a Grade 9 student at Rutland Senior Secondary. I came to Canada as a refugee in 2017, and I love my family, and my friends. I play soccer in my spare time, and I am in the Soccer Academy. Weekends, I like to go to my friend's houses and go shopping with my mom. I would like to have a good future and go to college when I am older.
Brent Carmichael
My name is Brent Carmichael, I am a children’s book author and motivational speaker. I am working to promote programs which create a sense of belonging, diversity and inclusion in both education and sports. My hope is to help inspire as many people as possible!
Cheryl Bear
Cheryl Bear, from Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, is well known as an important and respected voice on behalf of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, a speaker and teacher who has traveled to over 600 Indigenous communities in Canada and the United States sharing her songs and stories.
My name is Bree Sproule, I was born and raised in the Okanagan. I identify as a Deaf person, I have been like that since birth, and I communicate through my hands with American Sign Language. I’ve traveled the world for fun and for high level sports competitions such as the Deaf Olympics. I want to welcome you to come and learn about my journey as a minority in the big world.
Scotty Berg
Scotty Berg is a 14 year-old singer-songwriter who has performed in front of thousands. Scotty has gained popularity through his social media channels and is influenced musically by Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes. Scotty has collaborated with international writers and producers who have worked with mega artists like Jennifer Lopez, Luke Bryan and Cody Simpson, yet maintains a sense of community and humbleness by donating some of his performance earnings to Okanagan charities. Scotty is managed by Circle11 Entertainment based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Carey Newman
Carey Newman, whose traditional name is Hayalthkin’geme, is a multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author and public speaker. Through his father he is Kwakwak’awakw from the Kukwekum, Giiksam, and WaWalaby’ie clans of northern Vancouver Island, and Coast Salish from Cheam of the Sto:lo Nation along the upper Fraser Valley. Through his mother his ancestors are Settlers of English, Irish, and Scottish heritage. In his artistic practice he strives to highlight Indigenous, social, and environmental issues as he examines the impacts of colonialism and capitalism. In his efforts to drive positive change, is also interested in engaging with community and incorporating innovative methods derived from traditional teachings and Indigenous worldviews into his process. Perhaps his most influential work, The Witness Blanket, made of items collected from residential schools, government buildings and churches across Canada, deals with the subject of Truth and Reconciliation. It is now part of the collection at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Carey was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2017 and was named to the Order of British Columbia in 2018 and he was recently appointed as the inaugural Impact Chair in Indigenous Art Practices at the University of Victoria.
Freida Whales
I’m Freida Whales, the Okanagan Orca. I’m a non-binary drag queen in the Okanagan, and I’ve been doing drag for about four years. I’ve lived in the Okanagan my whole life and graduated from School District 23 in 2008. I was voted Best Drag Artist in Best of Kelowna 2021, and have been the recipient of a number of other awards as well.
Karah Hopgood
Karah Hopgood (she/her) is in her final year of studies at UBC Okanagan pursuing an Honours Degree in Biochemistry. During her final year of high school in 2017, Karah created an Instagram platform called Humans of Boucherie to share the stories of the students, staff and community members of her high school Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary. Since graduating and leaving the project behind, Karah has had incredible opportunities to share the story behind Humans of Boucherie, including speaking at conferences for SD23, TedxYouth 2020, the Digital4Good 2017 conference at Twitter Headquarters and the Digital4Good 2019 conference at Instagram and Facebook Headquarters. Throughout these past five years Humans of Boucherie has continued to grow through the leadership of different generations of Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary students. This Harmony Day, Karah would like to share her story behind Humans of Boucherie and how within this project she has found hope.
Maysaa Al Mustafa & Hakem Al Elesmer
My name is Maysaa Al Mustafa, and I am 16 years old, and in Grade 10 at Rutland Senior Secondary School. I came to Canada in 2017 with my mother and father, and my 9 siblings. I love school, and my favourite subjects are Math, Art, and Culinary Arts. In my spare time, I like to watch movies, go to my friend's houses, and go to TIm Hortons with one of my sisters.
My name is Hakem Alesmer, and I am 15 years old. I am a Grade 9 student at Rutland Senior Secondary. I came to Canada as a refugee in 2017, and I love my family, and my friends. I play soccer in my spare time, and I am in the Soccer Academy. Weekends, I like to go to my friend's houses and go shopping with my mom. I would like to have a good future and go to college when I am older.
Brent Carmichael
My name is Brent Carmichael, I am a children’s book author and motivational speaker. I am working to promote programs which create a sense of belonging, diversity and inclusion in both education and sports. My hope is to help inspire as many people as possible!
Cheryl Bear
Cheryl Bear, from Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, is well known as an important and respected voice on behalf of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, a speaker and teacher who has traveled to over 600 Indigenous communities in Canada and the United States sharing her songs and stories.
