Valérie Ivy Hamelin is a member of the Micmac community of Gespeg in Gaspésie. She is an activist for the protection of the territory and positions herself as a water carrier. She has collaborated with different organizations for the protection of the environment and with Indigenous communities. She has been an activist for many years for the protection of water, rivers, and the ocean and against the invasion of oil companies on the territory of Gaspésie.

She participated as a panelist at the Forum Against Extractivism in May 2018 in Montreal, offering a panel on the violence experienced by indigenous women in resistance. She was invited to the Global Forum Against Extractivism in South Africa in November 2018, a conference that brought together women from over 60 countries, who are fighting for the protection of their territory.

She is also a multidisciplinary artist, expressing herself on the flute, and by singing, storytelling, indigenous drumming, African percussion, and dance (powow, African and gumboots dance). She has been performing on stage for over 15 years and has recorded 3 albums to date, including Nibi Sisters, an album of indigenous songs and prayers.

Her father was born on the ancestral lands and grew up with the teachings of his mother and grandmother, respecting mother earth. He shared with her his love for Nature and his sacred connection to the land. He taught her medicinal plants, bow hunting and snaring with respect and gratitude.

Valerie is an involved member of her community and the Indigenous community, both militant, cultural and spiritual. She enjoys listening to the stories shared by her Elders and deepening her connection to her culture through singing, drumming and storytelling.

She manages her own company of artistic diffusion in world music, musical animation, music and dance workshops and has been offering make-up services for more than 12 years ( www.mosaicultures.com ).