Got to spend time in Nuučanuł lands with the VIFW team—Ńačiqs (Tofino), mux̣ʷšiƛa (Hot Springs Cove), and ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht). Days filled with laughter, brilliance, fire, potlatch, stargazing, sauna & ocean, whales, forest walks, pocket eggs ;), and rez dogs. Cedars, coastal waters, fresh air—the spirit of the land, and a deeper connection to my ancestry 🌊
Feeling grounded and grateful. I want more of this.
This weekend got me thinking about where I'm going, the practices and spaces that nourish me, and what I want to uplift and protect. A reminder that the life we're looking for is often already here—when we slow down, pay attention, and move with ʔiisaak.
Life is wild. And beautiful.
ƛ̓eekoo to my VIFW fam, to Ahousaht, and to everyone we shared space with this weekend. It's an honour. Grateful for this community—every one of you. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead 🤍
What a beautiful, uplifting, and catalyzing week!! ⚡️🙌🏽 I feel abundant and blessed. ƛ̓eekoo to everyone who made this time in Santa Fe for Native Fashion Week so special!! ❤️
From being a Model, MC, friend, and backstage dancer, filming our TV show, to hearing my name, RICKY-LEE!!! Moments like this fill me with love 🥰🥰 It was a joy to share these experiences with talented Indigenous kin, grow, and celebrate one another. Ya’ll are amazing!! ❤️
We’re honouring our ancestors, healing, and growing Indigenous excellence. We’re imbuing culture and spirit in all we do, creating ripples in the fashion community and beyond. An act of decolonization and embodiment of interconnectedness, Indigenous essence is imbued into our fabrics, movements, and interactions. It is a cultivation of abundance, one that requires respect and sparks joy. ✊🏽🪶✨
Modelling for such amazing designers is a blessing. I nearly had as much fun on the runway as I did backstage! 🕺🏽
It’s an honour to support the fashion show with prayer and MCing. I’m grateful to help cultivate grounding, connection, and purpose. 🎤
One of my favourite moments was inviting a 6-year-old girl, Evelyn, onto the stage to walk the runway. I didn’t anticipate how beautiful/pure this moment would be. I celebrated her courage as she looked at me with amazement, spirit, and hope. The astonishing hope this interaction instilled in me and the audience was palpable. Her message for everyone is “be more positive”. 🥹 I felt my inner child being recognized in that moment. 🥹🥹
I feel myself growing further into my gifts, and it’s a blessing to share this. I’m feeling inspired for our future. 🔥
@santafeindianmarket@swaianativefashion@vancouverindigenousfashionweek@supernaturals.modelling
Here’s only a sample of photos from on and off stage. Many memories weren’t captured, but still remain in my heart. 💗 Can’t wait to see more footage! 🤩 📸
Čuuuuuuuu everyone. Sending you love. Until we see each other again! ❤️✨
#indigenousfashion #runway #nativefashion
ʔiisaak and hišukʔiš c̓awaak — respect for all creation having a common origin and everything is one. ✨🤲🏽
These Nuučanuł values are deeply instilled within me as part of my culture, teachings, and lived experiences. Emanating in my everyday life, keeping me grounded, and offering guidance. A way of being that informs my everyday living. ✨
April 30 — 📸 Photo taken by @firstnationphotographer at the Indigenous Tourism Conference in Yuułuʔiłʔat Territory. ƛ̓eekoo everyone who was part of this inaugural gathering. It was an honour. Čuu!
Part 1 was pretty sweet… but March was too full for just one post, so I had to give y’all a Part 2. My treat 🎁😉
The story continues. The lore expands. Let’s dive in 📖🧙🏽♂️
Fog lifted, sun returned, cherry blossoms in sight—spring is here 🌸
Hope ablaze, birds singing… I could feel my future calling me closer. This is our year 🙌🏽🔥
…more poetry later haha. For now, the facts:
• Made some mean chilli 🌶️
• Moved my body, contemplated life, skyline views
• AFN Forum — panels, connection, fashion
• GOV modelling with @himikalas & crew 💫
• Wellness + healing 🪶
• Vegas, baby 🎲🌹 — modelling, @vancouverindigenousfashionweek fam, new homies, speaking ❤️🔥🎤
• Building community in Vancouver — the foundations feel strong ⭐️
• Breathing with @dreamstilll 🧘🏽
• Running (this one time) 🏃🏽
• Vibing 😎
All in all… 10/10 month.
There’s more to the story, but now you’ve got the overview 🙂↕️
How was your March?
What’s April looking like? Are we travelling together or what? 🙂↔️
Want to give y’all a glimpse into my March…
I got to know the love of my life 😍
Who’s that? Oh right—it’s me 😉 lmao
Self-awareness, love, connection… it all ripples out, baby 😘
After a rough winter sickness, I felt reborn.
By March, I came in flying 🥶🐦🔥
Here’s a glimpse of what the month held:
• Facilitated Mulaa retreat + TinWis 🌊
• Port Alberni moment 🏡
• Birthday celebrations 🎉
• Golden Eyes with VIFW 👁️
• Roady to Eddy 🚗⛰️
• Met some of my dad’s family for the first time… wait, whaaat? Yeah. Wholesome, wild, and pretty beautiful 😲
• Igloofest with the homies ⛄️
Side questing to my heart’s content 🧙🏽♂️
What quests are calling you lately? 🔮👀
A beautiful and grounding weekend on Nuučanuł lands and waters.
Spending my birthday here in Tofino felt meaningful — time to slow down, breathe with the ocean, and reconnect with what matters.
Being Nuučanułaht, it carries a special feeling to spend time here at Načiqs, in ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ haḥuułii, and to see spaces like @tinwisresort honouring and sharing Nuučanuł presence and stewardship.
Grateful for the quiet moments, the wind, the waves, the reminder of how restorative the land can be, and the community that makes this place so special.
hišukʔiš c̓awaak — everything is one. 🌊
#NuuChahNulth #IndigenousTourism #Tofino #Načiqs
Berlin, Germany. 🖤
Unfiltered expression.
Finding my way into festivals, moving through protests and street art, experiencing the raw, industrial pulse of Berghain, and spending long, restorative hours at Vabali.
Along the way: surprise art exhibitions, growing pockets of community, and familiar faces in unexpected places.
Berlin rewarded directness — and I found myself liking that. It also helped me understand my light, my capacity, and the importance of choosing where I place my energy. ✨
As my time in Europe came to a close, this city offered a quiet sense of belonging: biking everywhere, regular markets, favourite shops, and small daily rhythms that started to feel like home.
On the flight back, a flight attendant shared this with me:
Das Leben ist schön.
War uns eine Freude, dich kennengelernt zu haben.
In many ways, it reflected the whole journey — and the people I met along the way.
A meaningful closing chapter — and one I’m deeply grateful for. 🌱
A hygge way of living.
Denmark felt easy —
good design, good food, good people.
Life built around humans, not hurry.
Around water you can swim in, shared tables, and space to breathe 🌊
Grateful for the land, the people,
and the reminder that living well doesn’t have to be complicated 🤍
#Denmark #Hygge
Stavanger, Norway. 🌊
Looking back, a deeply wholesome chapter during my travels in Europe.
Just a few days, filled with friluftsliv: fresh coastal air, raw landscapes, mountain paths, shared meals, laughter, and a warmth that stays with you long after you’ve left.
A place shaped by ice and wind, softened by generosity and friendship.
With gratitude,
Ricky-Lee 🌿
#Stavanger #Norway #NordicNature #SlowTravel #Europe2025
