Shauntelle Dick Charleson/Huupʔaqsa/TSAYŁE is a Hesquiaht and Songhees poet whose work explores Indigenous themes like residential schools and intergenerational trauma. A 2019 Vic slam team member, she placed eighth nationally and has poems in Aboriginal Voices 2. She hopes to publish her own book.
Interviewed by Valerie White
Valerie White (VW): What are your duties as the Victoria Youth poet-laureate? What is your favorite part of the job?
Shauntelle Dick Charleson (SDC): As Youth Poet Laureate, I represent the voices of youth—but especially the voices of Indigenous youth. Being the first Indigenous Youth Poet Laureate means so much to me, because I get to show our youth that our voices matter too. One of the most moving moments I’ve had was when I performed as the Alum of Honour at a middle school. After I read my poetry, a group of Indigenous kids came up to me and said how awesome it was to see another Indigenous person on stage. I nearly cried. My favorite part of this role is educating people on Indigenous topics—and hosting events that bring other BIPOC voices to the stage, allowing them to share their stories too.
VW: For anyone who doesn’t know you, could you tell us about your upbringing and schooling.
SDC: I was raised in Victoria, BC, on the Songhees Reservation. I went to Reynolds Secondary School, where I first got involved in writing during my Grade 10 English class. My teacher, Brad Cunningham, saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time—and that moment changed everything.
VW: Most people hate speaking in front of an audience, how did you learn to do that so well?
SDC: Honestly, I still get nervous speaking in front of people. But I feel a wave of calm wash over me when I remember that I’m not just speaking for myself—I’m speaking for my grandparents, who had no voice. I speak for all my Indigenous relations. Too often, when Indigenous voices are heard, it’s only in the context of fighting for land or addressing racism. We deserve to be heard for more than just our trauma—we deserve space for our stories, our joy, and our truth.
VW: How did you become interested in poetry?
SDC: I got into poetry because of that same Grade 10 English class. My very first poem was called Write About the Night. The next assignment was about identity, and at first, I was going to write about soccer and how much I loved it. But Brad came over and asked what I was working on. I told him, and he said, “Aren’t you Indigenous?” I kind of paused and said, “Oh… I guess I am.” Then he said, “Why don’t you write about that?” So I did. That poem became I Was There, and it ended up being my second-ever piece. You can find it in Aboriginal Voices 2, along with another poem I wrote.
VW: Did someone mentor you in writing poetry and performing spoken word?
SDC: I’ve had several amazing mentors: Brad Cunningham, Marie Metaphor, and many other incredibly talented poets who supported and guided me along the way.
VW: Do you have a role model? Who is your favorite poet(s)?
SDC: Some of my role models include Marie Metaphor, Jeremy Loveday, and the late Zaccheus Jackson. I could list many people I look up to, but these three stand out the most. Their poetry is powerful, but it’s not just what they write — it’s how they perform. Their stage presence is incredible; the way they command attention and keep the audience engaged truly shows they have an amazing talent.
VW: Do you have specific topics that you like to write about?
SDC: I usually write about Indigenous topics, mental health, and the experience of being Indigenous in today’s world. A lot of my work comes from personal experience and the stories of my community.
VW: What are some of your favorite books of poetry that might get others hooked on poetry?
SDC: To be honest, I haven’t read a ton of poetry books. I really believe that going to a poetry open mic or a “competition” is one of the best ways to understand what poetry can be. Reading poetry and watching someone perform it are two completely different experiences. One of my favorite poets is Zaccheus Jackson. He was an incredible artist, and his poem Invicta is one of my all-time favorites.
VW: What do you hope that people take away from listening to your poetry?
SDC: When people hear my poetry, I hope they walk away with more knowledge about Indigenous people—and a deeper awareness of things like residential schools and MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women).
For my Indigenous relations, I hope my words bring some peace. I hope they know I’m not just speaking for myself—I’m speaking for all of us.
VW: Where do you hope poetry/writing takes you?
SDC: Honestly, I’m going with the flow. I know that someday I’d love to publish my own book, but right now, I’m just letting the river take me where I need to go—as I like to say.