British Columbia 
Taylor Behn-Tsakoza is the daughter of Sally Behn and Kevin Tsakoza, and the granddaughter of George Behn and the late Mary Behn and Rose Tsakoza. She is Eh Cho Dene and Dunne Zaa, and is a proud member of Fort Nelson First Nation in Northeast BC, Treaty 8 Territory. Having grown up under the guidance of her Mother, Grandparents, and the values of her Nation, Taylor developed a strong passion for her culture, education and sports. Taylor’s knowledge of her people’s way of life has inspired her to use her voice to engage in dialogue across the province and country about contemporary and historical issues on Turtle Island. The vision of having future generations be in a position that allows greater influence and healing for her people has driven Taylor in her actions, thoughts, and words.
Engagement at a provincial level started for Taylor when she played for Team BC at the National Aborginal Hockey Championships. Learning from her teammates about the importance of cross-cultural exchanges, sharing our struggles and successes as young people while doing what we love, playing hockey, put into perspective for Taylor the legitimacy in having representations from all regions when it comes to matters that affect everyone. While pursuing her Health and Physical Education degree in Treaty 7 Territory for the last 5 years, Taylor found her voice and gifts which has led her to speak on provincial and national panels, and she currently sits on the FNHA youth advisory committee and previously was a We Matter Hope Council member. Being a part of the provincial and national discussion around what wellness and life promotion should look like in Indigenous communities has been Taylor’s biggest honour. Being a Dene handgames enthusiast, a beginner beader and dry meat maker as well as the first in her immediate family to obtain a university degree, Taylor advocates for Indigenous people to have access to contemporary and traditional forms of education. Speaking on CANDO’s National Youth Panel and at Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey X and XI allowed Taylor to address First Nations leaders on the importance of welcoming back their youth who have left the reserve to pursue education and creating opportunity to guide them in practicing their culture. Most recently, Taylor represented her federal riding of Prince George- Peace River- Northern Rockies at Daughters of the Vote in Ottawa. Sitting in the House of Commons and Senate surrounded by other young women leaders from across the country motivated Taylor to continue her path into politics and social justice.
Taylor’s platform stands strong on the principles based on Dene Law which includes giving others an opportunity to be heard, passing on our teachings and engaging with our elders and land in a respectful way. As she pursues a certificate in Land and Community Based Research and a graduate certificate in Indigenous Sport and Recreation Management and continues her work of bringing sexual health and harm reduction workshops to Indigenous youth across BC, Taylor hopes to bring her professional and life experiences and passion for creating a culturally connected future into her role as the Female Youth Representative for BC AFN.
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