Youth Representatives

Crystal Starr-Lewis

Squamish Nation-Swxwú7mesh Úxwumixw

BCAFN Female Youth Representative

Crystal Lewis is an actively involved community member that lives by the sayings “Be the change you want to see, lead by example and take action.” Crystal comes from Vancouver and the Squamish Nation (Swxwú7mesh Úxwumixw). Her biological mother is the late Elizabeth Lewis and her foster mother is Elaine Moody (did not have a father figure growing up). Before the age of 2, she was moved from several different foster homes before being placed into permanent foster care. As a child she remembers feeling unloved, abandoned and confused, and couldn’t understand why her parents didn͛t want her; only to realize that intuitively, change had to start with her, and that she never wanted her future children to go through the same painful experiences as she went through. At the age of 6, she decided to dedicate her life to living drug and alcohol free and to being a leader.

Crystal held onto that vision, and continued to learn, unlearn and grow; continuously challenging herself. She strongly believes that, “You can’t wait for others to make changes for you, you, yourself have to be a changemaker.” By leading through example, Crystal has gained a lifetime of achievements and experiences; creating change on a provincial, national and international scale. Crystal is a recognized mover and shaker within her community, who started out as a youth volunteer, and who participated in various youth opportunities, learning about her culture, community, canoe pulling (for 10 years), and more. In doing so, she established a deep rooted connection to the land and to her community (the Squamish Valley); carrying the love and support, and teachings of her community, everywhere she goes. One teaching that Crystal holds onto dearly is that, “No matter where you go, you always represent your family, and community.”

When Crystal turned 16, she started living on her own; finding her voice, and challenging the status quo. By learning to speak her truth, and embracing her vulnerabilities, she continues to advocate for climate action, reconciliation, social justice, youth in care and more. At the ages of 19 and 24, she ran in two Squamish Nation Council elections, focusing her campaign on sustainability, wellness, transparency and sustainable housing; encouraging more youth to run. That same year she was asked by the North Vancouver NDP to run in the 2019 Federal Election, respectfully declining due to the recent passing of her mother, sister and uncle all within the same year.

Not long after, Crystal was selected as 1 out of 5 across Canada to work on Parliament Hill, Ottawa; working with MP, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq; and consulting on GreenPAC’s new Indigenous Youth Parliamentary Internship Stream; to help create a safer and more inclusive space for Indigenous youth. From there on, she went on to create Canada͛s First Ever Youth Policy, bringing youth voices to the table, and facilitating policy roundtable discussions; working with the Prime Minister͛s Youth Council. To this day she continues to advocate and be actively involved in youth opportunities, spaces, policy work and more (We Matter, BC AFN Youth Forums, Boards, Advisory Committees, etc.). Crystal also worked at Burnaby Mountain's Watch House, a peaceful protest camp with an objective to stop the Kinder Morgan Pipeline from going through Indigenous ancestral land due to lack of consultation and more. After facing discrimination and harassment, at a former institution, Crystal learned to speak up on injustices; advocating for decolonial practices and cultural safety. Despite her experiences, Crystal went on to learn her language at SFU, earning over 40+ awards and certificates, over the years, and a diverse educational background, from attending the Indigenous B.E.S.T program for Indigenous entrepreneurship, including project management and more. After attending the Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University, Crystal also created her own asset based community development project (utilizing the strengths, gifts and resources within her community) which focused on land based education and ancestral knowledge, along with sustainability, wellness, and  food sovereignty. Crystal and partner have a second project on the way with a focus on anti-human trafficking prevention.

In addition, Crystal also has former experience of working at Hungerford Properties, as an intern, learning about Indigenous Economic Development and more. Not long after, Crystal went on to work on her Nation’s economic development “Senakw” project for a short-term internship, working with Kasian for architecture and interior design and providing sustainable development recommendations. Furthermore, Crystal also went to creating a UN Sustainable Development Goal solution for SDG #3 for good health and well-being at Camp 2030; presenting it to a panel of judges.

Moreover, and on behalf of UNA-Canada, Crystal was nominated as a Peer Leader and Peace Builder in facilitating policy roundtable discussions and creating policy recommendations for the UNSCR 2250, for international peace and security. As of more recently, Crystal went on to create four policy recommendations on cultural safety, self-sovereignty, additional preventive and protective measures for youth in care, and anti-human trafficking prevention training that she presented in her oral and written statements at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the final report. In recognizing the need for immediate action, Crystal and her partner decided to take matters into their own hands by deciding to create their own consultation agency that provides anti-human trafficking prevention training (in the works), with a focus of giving power back to communities, self defense, knowing the signs and more. Not long after, she was asked to speak on two panels at the United Nations, in Geneva Switzerland about her anti-human trafficking prevention policy with keynote speaker Francisco Calí Tzay, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples; further presenting her policy to the Special Rapporteur on Anti-Human Trafficking.

With former experience of working in the BC Provincial Government, Crystal is currently in the hiring process to work in the Federal Government. And like many, she aspires to leave the world a better place by giving back to the community, breaking down intergenerational cycles and intersectional barriers. More importantly, she has her community, friends, family and opportunity providers to thank for all that they have taught her ( including her obstacles and challenges ) for who helping her be who she is today.