Candace, ancestral name xets’emits’a (to always be there), is a Shíshálh (Sechelt) member from the Sunshine Coast, BC. As the co-founder of Talaysay Tours with her spouse Larry, and now co-owned with their daughter Talaysay Campo, Candace provides Indigenous cultural and outdoor experiences. Trained as an anthropologist and teacher, she shares the stories and history of her people, focusing on Indigenous language and cultural revitalization. Candace’s mission is to train younger Indigenous members to connect with the land while running a successful intergenerational tour and education business.

Richard, smanit stumish (Mountain Man), has over 35 years of experience in land-based learning, 25 in search and rescue and 30 in youth counseling. An adopted member of the Shíshálh Nation, Richard is honored with the ancestral name smanit stumish for his dedication to youth in cultural rediscovery. He has spent decades learning from Elders to enrich his work with Indigenous communities. A skilled metalworker, boat builder, and artist, Richard is also writing a novel about cross-cultural friendships. He collaborates with Candace in delivering land-based education to schools and organizations across Canada, including the Jane Goodall Institute.

Seraphine Lewis (Kwii Gee Iiwans) is a proud Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Haida Indigenous woman, born and raised in the Squamish Valley and currently residing in Vancouver. She joined Talaysay Tours in 2017 and has since served as a lead Cultural Ambassador. Her knowledge of the land and its history is rooted in generational teachings passed down from her Squamish mother. In addition to her cultural role, Seraphine has a background in Fine Arts, with formal training in painting, carving, and Indigenous art history, contributing to her deep connection to her heritage.

Shaelynn Trottier is a proud ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) member. Born and raised in the Greater Vancouver area, Shaelynn is reconnecting with community, culture, family and land. Shae has been a Cultural Ambassador with Talaysay Tours since 2022. On her tours she talks about the importance of preservation of culture and land, not only for generations to come, but the generations who have come before us. An artist, a lifelong student, and a plant enthusiast, Shaelynn looks forward to expanding and sharing her knowledge.

Louis is a researcher of ecological and psychedelic medicine at the University of Ottawa, deeply passionate about the healing potential of nature. His spiritual journey began at 17, leading him to study Buddhism, yogic philosophy, and Indigenous practices with various teachers and elders. A McGill University graduate in Psychology, Philosophy, and Comparative Religion, Louis is currently building Psygaia, a psychedelic research and education nonprofit. At Talaysay, Louis leads brand design, crafts our monthly newsletter and guides guests to reconnect with nature through forest bathing, mindfulness, breathwork, and ecopsychology education.

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