Trevor Mack, a Tsilhqot’in filmmaker and cultural advocate, is receiving a BC Achievement Award in the community awards category.
A Tsilhqot'in filmmaker, recently elected to his home community of Tl'etinqox First Nation's band council, Trevor has dedicated his life to empowering Indigenous youth through storytelling, cultural revitalization, and community building.
His debut feature, Portraits from a Fire, was filmed at Tl'etinqox with local people playing most roles, some for the first time on screen.
The film highlights the lived experiences of Indigenous youth while offering a message of healing and hope.
Every project he undertakes—filmed on Tsilhqot’in land with Tsilhqot’in actors—centres on Indigenous voices and traditions.
In 2024, with his wife, Valeria Cazorla Mack, Trevor co-founded the Tletinqox International Cultural Garden Centre to engage youth in traditional building, food growing, and cultural exchange with Indigenous communities in Mexico.
Together, they lead food sovereignty efforts in Tl’etinqox—growing free, organic produce and teaching food security—and founded NENQAYNI, a not-for-profit supporting cultural exchange and community healing.
In a previous interview, he said the garden is not only a garden but a cultural space where they are trying to create awareness of how important it is that young people from Indigenous communities know how to value the resources in their own communities.
"Why can't we bring our people together to grow food as part of our cultural revitalization. And bring together youth for cultural exchanges."
Trevor also led the Dasiqox Tribal Park’s Back on the Land initiative, a program where youth persevere through mountain treks and camp together to learn drumming, art, and medicine gathering.
Respected for his mentorship and resilience, Trevor continues to uplift Indigenous youth, celebrate Tsilhqot’in identity, and forge new paths grounded in tradition and pride. Most recently, he was elected as the youngest Councillor in his community and one of the youngest across the Tsilhqot’in Nation—furthering his leadership and lifelong commitment to service.
The Community Award program celebrates changemakers who devote their energy to improving lives, creating spaces of care, resilience, beauty, and inclusivity. Often working behind the scenes, their efforts inspire others and have a lasting impact. This recognition emphasizes the transformative power of service and generosity in shaping vibrant, dynamic communities.
