Election

Orene Askew (Tumáliya) is seeking re-election as the BCAFN 2SLGBTQQIA+ Representative. Orene is Afro-Indigenous and Two-Spirit, from the Sḵwx̱ x̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). Her mother is from the Johnston family,and her father is African-American. Her ancestral name Tumáliya, belonging to hergreat-great-grandfather, was feminized for her.

Orene has always been passionate about creating safe spaces for 2SLGBTQQIA+people. She served on Squamish Nation Council from 2017–2021, supporting initiativeslike the Rainbow Crosswalk (Sparkles in the Sunshine), the first joint Vancouver PrideParade participation by Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, andpushing for gender-neutral restrooms in Nation administration buildings.

Orene has also served on the boards of the Vancouver Pride Society, Out on Screen,and continues with the Pride in Art Society. With diplomas in CommunicationsTechnology (BCIT) and Business Administration (Capilano University), Orene is knownfor her collaborative leadership, energy, and ability to listen.

As BCAFN 2SLGBTQQIA+ Representative, Orene supported dialogue sessions acrossB.C., connecting with Elders, youth, and leaders committed to inclusion. A highlight ofher term was helping bring the BCAFN Pride Flag to life—shaped by community voicesand set to be unveiled this September.

A recent BCAFN resolution to establish a 2SLGBTQQIA+ Council has inspired herfurther, and she’s eager to help lay the groundwork for future generations.

Orene lives in Xwemélch’stn (Capilano), West Vancouver. She’s also an award-winningentrepreneur and DJ, having run her own motivational speaking and DJ business for 13years. Her accolades include a BC Indigenous Business Award, a Vancouver PrideSociety Stand Out Award, a Capilano University Alumni of Excellence Award, and a 2022International Indigenous Hip Hop Award for DJ of the Year.

Above all, Orene is committed to advancing equity and inclusion for 2SLGBTQQIA+ FirstNations people across British Columbia and within the Assembly of First Nations.

Email orene_a@hotmail.comOrene

Wilf Junior Plasway belongs to the Mountain House Clan from the Lake Babine Nation (Nedut’en) in Burns Lake, BC. His parents are Mary Ann West (Mountain Clan) and Wilf Philip Plasway (Grouse Clan). He is also part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by coming out during the pandemic era.

Wilf has been taught the traditional way by his mother, Mary Ann, a well-respected hereditary chief (Sats’’ina’delee) by teaching him the potlatch system and to be humble to everyone by always showing support to his community. Wilf has had a smoke party on starting his journey on becoming a hereditary chief on April 5, 2025.

He became the first indigenous 2004 Youth Citizen of the Year in 2005 at the National Indigenous Peoples Days and appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of Burns Lake to meet the Vancouver 2010 committee in September of 2005 at the Lakes District Secondary School.

In 2010, the Lake Babine Nation has chosen Wilf to represent the community to perform at the Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremonies with 350 future indigenous leaders Canada-wide.

Now he would like to continue by becoming a Tik Tok Social Media Influencer as Wilf did go to Playlist Live, a YouTube and Tik Tok Creators attend in Orlando, Florida USA.

The Right Honourable made it as an article blog in the Carrier Sekani Family Series website on his story of coming out Bisexual/Two-Spirit. ‘Two-Spirit is alive in Carrier Nations’: In conversation with Wilf Junior Plasway  | Carrier Sekani Family Services.

For the future, Wilf continues to be a good role for all youth on becoming a Tik Tok influencer and being a great representative for the BCAFN’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Representative to all the Nations in beautiful British Columbia.