Hadih Dini ze’ ts’ake, ski ze. As a Lakesamshu clan member, I would like to welcome you to Bear Essential Oils. My name is Alissa Assu at birth I was registered by my Papa, Robert Derrick to the the Nisga'a Nation; The Nisga'a people areIndigenous to the Nass River valley in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. They have resided in the Nass River Valley since time immemorial, with four main village sites along the river: Gingolx, Laxgalts'ap, Gitwinksihlkw, and Gitlaxt'aamiks.

Later, our family moved to be closer to Witset, formerly known as Moircetown town. I belong to the Laksamshu (Fireweed and Owl) Clan from the Witsuwit’en (interchangeably with Wet'suwet'en) First Nation People; the people of the Wa Dzun Kwuh (Bulkley River). Our traditional ecological knowledge is deeply rooted in respect and expressed in stories and rituals. Witsuwit’en c’idede, or teaching stories, focus on respectful relationships with animals and the spirit world and the disasters that can occur when we become careless with those relationships.

As Indigenous people, it is crucial that we share the complete history of our ancestral roots. For this reason, I feel it’s important to also acknowledge that my father was a newcomer to Canada from Vietnam, yet was raised with strong cultural ties to the Wet'suw'eten. In our efforts to identify authentic Indigenous heritage and reduce the troubling rise of "Pretendians," we must all commit to sharing our truths—no matter how uncomfortable they may be. Only by embracing and revealing our full histories can we honor our ancestors and ensure the integrity of our identities.

Alissa's journey with traditional medicine re-begins with Bear Essential Oils. It’s a way of  planting the seeds to begin a journey with my family and larger Indigenous community. As a skak (baby/child), I was raised in our feast hall with Skokumhalte, (Emma Derrick) my grandmother. Together, we spent summers harvesting niwis (soapberries) on our yin tah (land) and attended summer cultural camps with respected Elder, Mabel Forsyth. The most powerful reconnection to culture has been becoming a mother and wanting to raise my son, nieces and nephews in Indigenous love rather than our colonial pain. I aspire to encourage and provide opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reconnect with language, culture and traditional medicines.

As a kidney transplant survivor, reconnecting with plant medicine has been a transformative part of my healing journey. Plant medicine has not only supported my physical recovery but has also been a powerful tool for addressing generational trauma and healing. Through these sacred plants, I’ve been able to tap into deeper layers of ancestral wisdom, reconnecting with the strength and resilience of my lineage. This process has been integral in healing not only my body but also my spirit, as I work through the intergenerational pain and loss that has been carried through my family and community.

I am now committed to amplifying the voices of Indigenous Peoples around me, supporting their own journeys of healing and reclaiming our traditions. By sharing my experience and the healing power of plant medicine, I hope to create space for others to reconnect with their roots, rebuild their health, and reclaim their cultural practices. Together, we can continue this path of healing, lifting each other up and restoring balance to our bodies, minds, and communities.