Sea Wolf Adventures connects travellers to destinations in the Broughton Archipelago and the Great Bear Rainforest for grizzly bear viewing, wilderness and wildlife experiences, and First Nations cultural tours. Safe. True. Educational. Owner Mike Willie is from the remote village of Kingcome Inlet and a member of the Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw First Nation. He has been given the names, T’ɬaɬba’lisame’ (Breaching Whale and Leader) and T’ɬalis (Breaching Whale Around the World). Mike has a deep connection to the culture, the history and the original land of his ancestors. This is the basis of his work and dreams today.
Mike Willie
His whole life, Mike has travelled the waters of the Broughton Archipelago as a route to his home and as a place to harvest food. He is dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of his traditional culture and language and devotes his time to research and spending time with Elders. Mike is passionate about sharing historical information and traditional knowledge as a speaker, multi-media producer and teacher. From a young age, Mike learned the songs of his ancestors and is an active song keeper and composer. He is respected as a leader of ceremonies in the village bighouse and a young speaker striving to become fluent in his critically endangered language.
K’odi Nelson
Henry K̕odi Frank Nelson III was born in ʼYa̱lis (Alert Bay), BC in 1973. He is the son of Henry Nelson Jr. from the Musǥa̱’makw Dzawada̱’enux̱w (Four Tribes of Kingcome Inlet) and Elizabeth (nee Dick) from the ‘Mama̱liliḵa̱la (Village Island) Nation. K’odi is a renowned dancer who has mastered all the great dances of the Kwakwaka’wakw and is hired regularly to dance for other families not just his own. He is a striving song keeper and conductor, a position bestowed on him for his love and passion for his culture.
K̕odi has received many names during his young life such as ‘Maxwalagalis ‘Giving Potlatches all over the World’ and Wawigustolagalitsugwi’lakw ‘No One is Able to Obtain what he has done’, to name a few. He is an accomplished artist and often designs traditional regalia on occasions for Potlatches and commissions. He is a jeweller whose work is sought after for its quality. He is also a composer of traditional songs, a gift that is very rare in the present Kwakwaka’wakw world. K̕odi and Alisha Souch are the proud parents of their son Dallas, who is also training to carry on his culture and their newest addition, Zayden.
Karissa Glendale
Karissa comes from New Vancouver & Haida Gwaii. Her culture is part of her everyday life. One of her strongest values that reflects her culture is her love for the environment. Karissa spent a year fighting the fish farms in her traditional territory. The farmed salmon is impacting our waters and BC salmon, creating water pollution and infectious sea lice as well as diseases on our wild salmon.
Karissa’s Indian name is Tłiła̱las. It means she has the responsibility of inviting the people for potlatches & feasts. For as long as she can remember, she has been learning her culture’s songs and dances. Karissa knows the history and values of her culture. Her passion in life is outdoor adventures. She enjoys outdoor adventures and looks forward to her next trip!
Julia McIntyre-Smith
Julia was born in Whitehorse, grew up in Yellowknife, and now lives in Squamish. Her culture wasn’t part of her life as a child, but she was always proud to be Indigenous. She has found even more pride in her heritage since starting to connect with her culture, her family, and the land. The connection her ancestors had with the natural world is something she strives for, and is what drives her to continue exploring her traditional territory. Her traditional name is Ikt’sa̱mgilagame’, meaning abalone shell woman.
Julia is a founding member of the A̱ka̱la Outdoor Education Society, an organization intent on providing outdoor education opportunities for Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw youth and young adults based on best practices to support and develop mental, emotional, spiritual, cultural and physical wellness. Visit AkalaSociety.com for more information.
