How Employment Rebuilt Valiant’s Identity…
Employment doesn’t just change lives—it can rebuild identities. Valiant’s story proves it.
Valiant walked into WISE a few years ago, his posture tense, his eyes fixed on the floor. His name sounded polished and English, a name that hid more than it revealed. The file in my hands told the truth: he is a descendant of a Cree reservation in Alberta and raised by a foster family in Vancouver. He loved cooking, but his voice trembled when he spoke of kitchens—past jobs had left him bitter and hollow.
We started with hope and a plan: training, confidence, a future in hospitality. But trust? That was harder. Earning Valiant’s trust felt like coaxing a wild bird to land on your hand. Slowly, painfully, pieces of his story emerged—childhood abuse, parental rejection, generational trauma so heavy it crushed any sense of pride. He had buried his roots deep, changed his name, and walked away from everything that once defined him.
Then came a turning point. Under the guidance of a Red Seal Chef, Valiant’s hands—once hesitant—moved with growing confidence. Chopping, stirring, tasting. Soon, he was working at a high-end restaurant. By all measures, my job was done. But something inside me whispered: We can do more.
That whisper led me to a small restaurant in Vancouver—the only one in the Lower Mainland specializing in Indigenous cuisine. The thought electrified me. What if Valiant could reconnect with his heritage through food? What if he could see Indigenous pride alive in front of him? For a year, I chased that dream—emails, calls, meetings—until finally, the owner agreed to meet Valiant. That meeting changed everything.
Valiant was offered a job. He loved learning about Indigenous traditions and gastronomy. His eyes admired the Indigenous art for sale on the walls. His chest filled with pride when diners complimented the food served.
The transformation wasn’t instant, but it was breathtaking. Valiant began searching for a status card. He sought out Indigenous friends and family, craving connection like oxygen. One day, he showed me an old drum he had made years ago, abandoned and forgotten—now cradled in his arms like a lost child returned home. Then came the headpiece, a magnificent creation he wore everywhere, its feathers dancing in the wind like a declaration: I am proud. I belong.
Employment didn’t just give Valiant a job—it gave him back his culture, and his pride.
Written by VG