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Á'a:líya Warbus
MLA
British Columbia Opposition House Leader
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 20, 2024
Preceded byTodd Stone
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 19, 2024
Preceded byRiding established
Personal details
Born
Theresa Keliya Point

1984 or 1985 (age 38–39)[1]
Political partyBC Conservative
SpouseKalvin Warbus[2]
Parent
Other namesTheresa Point[3]
Theresa Warbus-Point[4]
Apt Exact[5]
Keliya[6]

Á’a:líya Theresa Warbus is a Canadian politician who has served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia since the 2024 provincial election. A member of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, she represents the electoral district of Chilliwack-Cultus Lake. Warbus won the seat from the New Democratic Party's Kelli Paddon, who represented the previous riding of Chilliwack-Kent.

Warbus is the daughter of former lieutenant governor of British Columbia Steven Point. She is a member of the Stó꞉lō nation, the first Stó꞉lō person to be elected in British Columbia. Warbus describes her beliefs as being part of the "progressive conservative movement". Upon being elected, she was appointed the Conservative Party's House Leader by John Rustad.

Prior to being elected, Warbus was an artist, filmmaker, and singer. She served as professor at Capilano University's Indigenous digital film department and as the Indigenous artist-in-residence for Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Ahead of her election, she was working as the Director of Cultural Communications at the Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Government. Alongside her husband, Kalvin Warbus, she runs the film production studio Salish Legends Media. Warbus previously performed under the monikers Keliya, Apt Exact, and T Mela_D, the latter two while she was in the hip hop group Rapsure Risin'.

Early life and education

[edit]

Warbus was born Theresa Keliya Point.[7][8] She is the daughter of former lieutenant governor of British Columbia Steven Point and his wife Gwendolyn Point.[9][10][11][12] Warbus is Stó꞉lō, from the Skowkale First Nation.[13] In a conversation with Future Pathways' Fireside Chats series, Warbus stated that when she was "very young", she moved away from her family to live in Alberta. While in Alberta, she struggled with alcohol abuse and eventually suffered a breakdown which led her to move back in with her parents.[13]

Warbus later moved to the city of Vancouver and undertook a program related to youth and theatre.[13] In 2007, Warbus was among the students included in the first Aboriginal Youth Internship Program sponsored by the government of British Columbia, where she worked in the Ministry of Children and Family Development[3] and furthering her work in Vancouver's Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association (KAYA).[7] While in Vancouver, she began her career in music and was struggling with an abusive relationship which "ate a big chunk" of her twenties.[13] In 2016, Warbus led the Native youth mentorship program held at the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology.[14]

Warbus was in various educational paths for her post-secondary career, with "close to" 10 years of training in various fields.[13] Initially studying general studies, she entered into an English major with an intention towards law, then theatre school, audio engineering, and finally film production.[13] She has a Master of Fine Arts in film production from the University of British Columbia.[6] While at the University of British Columbia, she served as a student ambassador,[8] completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in film production in 2018.[14] She had initially intended to go attend the university for psychology, but then attended the University of the Fraser Valley's Lens of Empowerment program and became interested in filmmaking.[14] Warbus was the director of Slhá:lí (Woman), a biographical film of the Stó:lō transgender woman Saylesh Wesley,[15] which she completed in partial fulfillment for her Masters in film production in 2022.[16]

Warbus has worked as a professor at Capilano University in its Indigenous digital film department,[17][18][19] and served as the Indigenous artist-in-residence for Kwantlen Polytechnic University.[20][16][21] She was among the artists featured in the 2019 exhibit featuring Fraser Valley artists at The Reach Gallery Museum.[22] Alongside her husband, Warbus runs the media company Salish Legends Media.[13] Warbus worked as a writer on Loretta Todd's Indigenous superhero webseries Fierce Girls.[23] Before her election as MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, Warbus worked as Director of Cultural Communications at the Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Government.[18]

Political career

[edit]

Warbus was nominated as the Conservative Party of British Columbia's candidate for the riding of Chilliwack-Cultus Lake on March 1, 2024.[10] Warbus succeeded Michael Geoghegan, the original Conservative Party candidate for the riding, who withdrew for health reasons.[24][25] Geoghegan, who worked in the Sto:lo Nation's economic development arm, recruited Warbus, who worked on the board of directors at the time, and arranged a meeting between her and John Rustad.[24] Warbus stated that following that conversation, she felt convinced that her perspective would be heard.[26] She cited her criticism of the Eby government's policy regarding safe supply of opioids, describing it as a "genocide of our most vulnerable".[10]

Warbus defeated incumbent British Columbia New Democratic Party MLA Kelli Paddon during the 2024 British Columbia general election by ten percent.[18][27] Upon her victory, she emphasized cost of living, homelessness, opposition to the NDP government's drug policy, and getting "the budget back on track".[27] Warbus was one of four Indigenous women elected to the BC Legislature in the 2024 election, tied with the 2017 election for the most Indigenous candidates elected.[28] When elected, Warbus became the first Stó꞉lō person elected to the legislature.[9] In a speech to the BC Legislature, her father Steven Point, described her election as having taken up his offer to come "off the reservations and participate in the political life of this country."[9]

On November 20, 2024, Warbus was designated the Conservative Party's House Leader by Rustad,[29][30] with him describing her appointment as "historic".[31]

Political positions

[edit]

Warbus described herself as being part of the "new progressive conservative movement" built by John Rustad, and described her views as "a very left perspective."[24] Warbus stated that she saw herself as a "bridge" between communities divided on contentious issues,[24] and that she brings the ability to "help the party and province manage these controversial issues to benefit everyone."[32] She described herself as finding alignment with Rustad's big ticket items, specifically with regards to the NDP government's response to the drug epidemic.[24]

Speaking with The Chilliwack Progress, she cited the "complete failure" by the BC NDP to address the drug epidemic, along with public safety issues as reasons which drove her to run. She expressed opposition to the provincial carbon tax, citing it as a factor in food and gas affordability for working families.[33]

With regards to DRIPA, the BC government's implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, she agreed that it may not be the proper framework to underlay Indigenous-government relations in BC.[24] She criticized a claimed veto power given to First Nations, which was at odds with the interpretation by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs' interpretation.[24] Warbus emphasized that the rights under DRIPA should be preserved.[24] Warbus was among the Vancouver protesters following the verdict of the Colten Boushie case in 2018, and questioned if the verdict would have been the same if the victim was a white man.[34]

Regarding gender issues, Warbus expressed concern that she and Rustad would face conflict over the topic.[24] Warbus believes that the 2SLGBTQ+ community needs to "meet on middle ground" and emphasized that some members of the public may need time to adjust to changing perspectives with regards to gender issues.[24] She believes that sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) related educational materials and policy have become divisive issues.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Warbus is a mother of three,[18] and is married to Lummi Nation member Kalvin Warbus.[2] Warbus currently lives in the Skowkale First Nation.[32] She is a regular participant of the CrossFit Games,[1] and with her husband are active canoe racers with the Star Nation Canoe Club.[2] In 2011, she was the emcee for the Peace Walk through Chilliwack during National Addictions Awareness Week.[35]

She previously worked as a hip-hop artist who performed under the moniker "Keliya".[36][6][37] She was the recipient of a $10,000 Telus Storyhive grant to perform her music video Take Us.[6] She was also part of the Sto:lo hip-hop group Rapsure Risin', where she performed under the monikers "Apt Exact" and "T Mela_D", alongside Carrielynn Victor who went by "Num!nouS".[38][39] Warbus recalled her initial reception as having been described as "not gangster."[38] The duo was the subject of the documentary Rapsure Risin by Damien Bouchard for RedwireTV.[5] Warbus was the host of the second Annual International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards in 2022.[40]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Notes Ref.
2019 The Roundhouse As Theresa Point-Warbus [41]
2021 Slhá:lí (Woman) [15]

Electoral record

[edit]
2024 British Columbia general election: Chilliwack-Cultus Lake
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative A'aliya Warbus 13,657 54.6%
New Democratic Kelli Paddon 11,367 45.4%
Total valid votes 25,024 –
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Registered voters
Source: Elections BC[42]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "2020 Games Leaderboard". CrossFit Games. CrossFit LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Nunez, David (July 5, 2023). "Lummi Stommish Water Festival celebrates veterans, culture". ICT News. Cascadia Daily News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "ABORIGINAL YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INTERNS" (PDF). Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. BC Public Service Agency. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "CULTUS LAKE PARK BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES" (PDF). Cultus Lake Park Board. August 15, 2018. p. 3. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Redwire — News". RPM Records. November 24, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Naylor, Cornelia (February 4, 2019). "'Fate' brings Indigenous hip-hop artist to Burnaby school for music video shoot". Burnaby Now. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "ABORIGINAL INTERNS WELCOMED INTO BC PUBLIC SERVICE". BC Public Service Agency. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. September 13, 2007. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "PROFESSOR SANTA ONO, PRESIDENT OF UBC TOURS UBC THEATRE AND FILM". Department of Theatre & Film. February 1, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c MacLeod, Andrew (November 15, 2024). "A Family Tie and Firm Guidance as Conservative MLAs Sworn In". The Tyee. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Feinberg, Jennifer (March 1, 2024). "Á'a:líya Warbus to run in Chilliwack-Cultus Lake for B.C. Conservatives". The Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "Nov 2007: First Nations youth meetings highlight importance of education, culture". Winnipeg Free Press. November 1, 2007. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "A'aliya Warbus at Conservative Party of BC". Conservative Party of BC. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Theresa Warbus". Future Pathways Fireside Chats. TakingITGlobal. February 17, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "ASA Student Spotlight: Theresa Warbus". Faculty of Arts. University of British Columbia. November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Feinberg, Jennifer (July 12, 2023). "VIDEO: Called upon to witness story of first Stó:lō trans woman". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Slhá:lí/Woman: Film Presentation and Discussion with Á'a:líya Warbus and Saylesh Wesley". Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  17. ^ VandenBosch, Mike (September 5, 2024). "Two Chilliwack MLA candidates to hold open house this weekend". Fraser Valley Today. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d Vanden Bosch, Mike (October 19, 2024). "Update: Á'a:líya Warbus releases statement after defeating MLA Kelli Paddon in Chilliwack-Cultus Lake". Fraser Valley Today. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  19. ^ Feinberg, Jennifer (March 1, 2024). "Á'a:líya Warbus to run in Chilliwack-Cultus Lake for B.C. Conservatives". The Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  20. ^ Ahluwalia, Tanmay (February 8, 2023). "KPU welcomes new Indigenous artist and writer in residence for the Spring semester". Langley Advance Times. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  21. ^ "The Renew the New Anew Edition". Faculty of Arts. Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Four new fall exhibits open at The Reach Gallery Museum". The Abbotsford News. Black Press Media. October 2, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  23. ^ Malyk, Lauren (April 20, 2018). "Cameras roll on Coyote's Crazy Smart Science Show". PLAYBACK. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Olsen, Tyler (March 15, 2024). "A different kind of BC Conservative candidate". Fraser Valley Current. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  25. ^ "Conservative Party of BC announce new candidate for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake riding". Fraser Valley Today. March 1, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  26. ^ Ryan, Denise (September 29, 2024). "B.C. Election: Eleven Indigenous candidates are vying for seats across 93 ridings". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Feinberg, Jennifer (October 19, 2024). "Conservative Á'a:líya Warbus wins Chilliwack-Cultus Lake riding". The Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  28. ^ Lazenby, Alec (November 2, 2024). "Former politicians say record number of rookie MLAs in B.C. legislature may lead to growing pains". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  29. ^ VandenBosch, Mike (November 20, 2024). "Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA receives high-ranking leadership position with the Opposition". Fraser Valley Today. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  30. ^ Brooke, Mary P. (November 20, 2024). "BC Conservatives announce their shadow cabinet". Island Social Trends. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  31. ^ Feinberg, Jennifer (November 21, 2024). "Chilliwack MLA Warbus named house leader in Rustad's shadow cabinet". Agassiz-Harrison Observer. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Feinberg, Jennifer (September 6, 2024). "B.C. Indigenous chiefs slam Conservative leader's take on reconciliation". Terrace Standard. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  33. ^ "Election Q&A: Chilliwack candidates identify issues they would address if elected". The Chilliwack Progress. October 11, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  34. ^ Ducklow, Zoë (February 14, 2018). "Pain, Anger, Sorrow after Boushie Verdict". The Tyee. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  35. ^ Feinberg, Jennifer (November 22, 2011). "Peace Walk through Chilliwack has message of hope". The Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  36. ^ Sciarpelletti, Laura (June 5, 2019). "Vancouver hip hop artist and high school choir make sweet music together". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  37. ^ "2020 "Lulu Series: Art in the City" speakers announced". St. Albert Gazette. The Canadian Press. March 10, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  38. ^ a b Warner, Andrea (August 17, 2015). "Inside Canada's Indigenous Hip-Hop Scene With The First Ladies Crew". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  39. ^ "Music – Hip Hop as Indigenous Culture". Beat Nation. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  40. ^ Melanson, Jenna (August 17, 2022). "2nd Annual International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards (IIHHAS) to take place August 26-27, 2022". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  41. ^ "Indigenous film series continues March 14 with local Sto:lo films". UFV Today. University of the Fraser Valley. March 5, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  42. ^ "BC election 2024 results: Chilliwack-Cultus Lake". Global News. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
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