The K̓ʷə́k̓ʷəcnəxʷ tə šxʷəli (“Seeing with Spirit”) Youth Photovoice Project gives youth in the Tsawwassen First Nation community a meaningful way to connect and share their ideas with TFN staff, Executive Council, and the broader community. By taking part, you can help shape long-term planning, government decision-making, and support positive change.
Learn how to pronounce K̓ʷə́k̓ʷəcnəxʷ tə šxʷəli (Seeing with Spirit) in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓!
What is Photovoice?
Photovoice is a way of sharing experiences through photography and storytelling, allowing participants to visually document their environments. Photovoice is both a research tool and a creative method that helps people share insights into social, political, and health issues, and other topics that matter to them. The acronym “VOICE” in Photovoice means Voicing Our Individual and Collective Experience.
In this project, youth take photos based on prompts designed to align with the TFN xʷəliw ̓ ənstəxʷ k ̓ ʷθə syə ́ w ̓ én ̓ əł ct (Honouring Our Ancestors) Charter. Your photos can show your experiences, ideas, concerns, passions, or hopes for the future—anything that feels meaningful to you. By turning your lived experiences into powerful images and stories, Photovoice helps staff transform your voice into action that support community and government decision-making.
Who Can Participate?
Youth ages 13–30 years old residing in a Tsawwassen household are invited to join this exciting project, whether you are a TFN Member or not.
How does it work?
- Participants respond to 12 prompts using photography and short reflections. Existing photos or new photos can be used.
- Submissions are sent via text, email, or other agreed upon method to Robert Burns, the Research Associate for the project (and former TFN Youth Worker).
- Each participant receives $300 upon the completion of all 12 prompts, $50 per theme.
- The six themes are:
- Governance
- Health, Wellness and Safety
- Ecosystem and Stewardship
- Economic Prosperity and Food Security
- Complete Communities, Assets and Infrastructure
- Education and Livelihood
- Prizes are given to those who submit photos in response to the prompts, or attend Photovoice events, workshops, and engagement sessions.
- Additional benefits include:
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- catered workshops on photo editing, social media profile-building, etc.,
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- volunteer hours towards high school graduation,
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- letters of reference, and
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- opportunities to exhibit your work at the Cultural Hub, conferences, etc.
Why Is This Important?
The K̓ʷə́k̓ʷəcnəxʷ tə šxʷəli Photovoice Project is being conducted alongside the TFN Census to ensure youth voices are heard in shaping the future of Tsawwassen First Nation. By sharing youth perspectives through art and dialogue, they can contribute to:
- Community planning and policy development that reflects their needs and aspirations.
- Cultural continuity, by expressing identity and values through creative storytelling.
- Youth empowerment, giving young people a platform to influence decisions that impact their lives.
This project is more than photography, it’s about representation, inclusion, and building a stronger future together.
Who Will I Be Working With?
The K̓ʷə́k̓ʷəcnəxʷ tə šxʷəli Photovoice Project is a partnership between Tsawwassen First Nation and the University of British Columbia Okanagan. The project is led by Dr. Onyx Sloan Morgan, with support from UBCO graduate students and three TFN Members. You’ll be working with a supportive team that’s excited to learn from and collaborate with you.
Meet the Team!
University of British Columbia Team
Onyx Sloan Morgan
Project Lead & Assistant Professor, UBC Okanagan
Email: onyx.sloanmorgan@ubc.ca | Phone: (250) 508-3410
Robert Burns
Research Associate & Master’s Candidate, UBC Okanagan
Email: robert.burns@ubc.ca | Phone: (604) 219-6837
Isabella Corbet
Research Analyst & Master’s Candidate, UBC Vancouver
Tsawwassen First Nation Team
Sadie Baird
Census Enumerator & Youth Ambassador, Tsawwassen First Nation
Email: sbaird@tsawwassenfirstnation.com
[Picture coming soon…]
Rory Dubois
Census Enumerator & Youth Ambassador, Tsawwassen First Nation
Email: rdubois@tsawwassenfirstnation.com
[Picture coming soon…]
Jacob Slater
Youth Worker, Tsawwassen First Nation
Email: jslater@tsawwassenfirstnation.com
Privacy and Confidentiality
We respect your privacy and your right to control information about yourself. All data collected through the Youth Photovoice Project is confidential unless you agree to otherwise. If desired, your responses will not be tied back to you personally. Regardless, they will have no impact on any of your TFN distributions or benefits.
The K̓ʷə́k̓ʷəcnəxʷ tə šxʷəli (“Seeing with Spirit”) Youth Photovoice Project is coordinated by Sophie Thomas and Caitlyn Therrien-Iannone, Policy Analysts on TFN’s Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs team.
For general questions or concerns, please contact them directly at
