Emilee Gilpin

Advisor, First Nations Forward | Victoria, B.C. | English Portuguese Spanish

Energy, Politics, Culture, Indigenous rights, Clean energy, land and water policy and projects

Emilee Gilpin is a key advisor for National Observer's 'First Nations Forward' special report. Emilee produced most of the reporting on the first two years of the series from 2017-2019. With a keen focus on inspirational stories of leadership and success, she traveled through British Columbia, building relationships and documenting stories of governance, self-determination and alternative ways forward. For the past year, she served as Managing Director.

Her stunning visual, verbal and written journalism for First Nations Forward twice earned her the Canadian Association of Journalists nomination for "Emerging Indigenous Journalism."

A Michif nomad, she worked in the first 9 months of 2020 from Bahia, Brazil. She is Métis, Filipina, European (3rd & 4th gen. settler). She now resides in the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples.

94 Articles

Notley vows to 'engage ferociously' if feds slip from Trans Mountain review timeline

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says her government will be watching the new Trans Mountain pipeline review process very carefully, and will continue to campaign to win the hearts and minds of Canadians in a fight she believes she is already winning.

Trans Mountain

Emilee Gilpin

September 21st 2018

Duty to consult First Nations was clear. How did the government miss the mark?

How did a government so adamant that Trans Mountain was a matter of "national interest" that they bought it outright, fail to meet its constitutional duties?

Emilee Gilpin

September 20th 2018

Can Canada's Americans stop Trump?

Decked out in colourful striped Uncle Sam hats and waving "register to vote" banners, a group of progressive American expats rallied across from Trump International Hotel in Vancouver on Monday, urging fellow Americans in Canada to register to vote in the upcoming midterm election.

Emilee Gilpin

September 17th 2018

'Water is life. Water is sacred'

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation and other First Nations spokespersons expressed their surprise and elation at a press conference following the groundbreaking Trans Mountain decision by the Federal Court of Appeal, calling it a "paradigm shift in the acknowledgment of Indigenous rights."

Trans Mountain

Emilee Gilpin

August 30th 2018

New research on mining disasters compares B.C. to 'developing' economy

A catastrophic spill of toxic waste, including arsenic, lead, mercury, selenium and phosphorus, four years ago in British Columbia shows how Canada may be no safer than so-called "developing" countries with reputations for political corruption and instability, says a new research report published on Tuesday.

Emilee Gilpin

August 28th 2018

In conversation with Kanahus Manuel — a woman of many names

Kanahus Manuel has been called many names - a political activist, a pipeline protestor, a tiny house warrior, a freedom fighter, a birth keeper, a land and water defender. But Manuel, also a granddaughter, daughter and sister, identifies herself first and foremost as a mother.

Emilee Gilpin

August 24th 2018

These five Indigenous tattoo artists are reawakening cultural practices

Inking up can be good medicine, according to five Indigenous tattoo artists whose work is featured in a new Vancouver exhibit.

First Nations Forward

Emilee Gilpin

August 23rd 2018

Heiltsuk Nation says one per cent for "Aboriginal content" is unacceptable

Heiltsuk leadership say the federal government put its reconciliation process “on thin ice” by failing to adequately consult Indigenous communities and collaborate with them in developing its Oceans Protection Plan (OPP). They voiced concern after the government announced on Thursday the winner of an open competition for a $67 million three-year contract.

Emilee Gilpin

August 10th 2018

Kamloopa Powwow highlights the beauty and strength of Indigenous cultures

Moving from the pacific coast to the interior of B.C., the landscape and light shifted as a soft breeze became a thick blanket of heat, writes Emilee Gilpin. Five hours later, I heard the commotion, saw the lights and landed on an entire tent city — here was the Kamloopa powwow.

Emilee Gilpin

August 8th 2018

Garneau beefs up Oceans Protection Plan as Kinder Morgan conflict escalates

As the federal government doubles down on support for Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain expansion project, Transport Minister Marc Garneau is strengthening the oceans protection plan that aims to keep British Columbia's waters free of oil spills.

Emilee Gilpin

May 16th 2018