CANADA

Vancouver – chilliwack – Kispiox

East Vancouver is a poor neighborhood where many (First nations) aboriginals live.

In Canada there are currently 630 recognized First Nations governments, the total population is about 700,000 of which half lives in British Colombia and Ontario. lif​e in the reserves is difficult where unemployment is high, specially since the 2008 crisis. Many young First Nations move to Vancouver in the hope for a better life. They try to maintain their culture and identity in the big city and many make a livi​ngs as artists.

Ronnie Dean Harris alias Ostwelve (32) in the center of Vancouver. He is a hiphop artist. Ostwelve was born in Chilliwack, British Columbia, and belongs to the Stó:lō nation. The place he was from was 'colonized', so his first real contact with natives​ was when he came to Vancouver.

But his grandparents made him aware, at an early age, of his identity and roots.For Ostwelve a reserve is like putting somebody in school and tell him he can't leave.