Acclaimed Indigenous author, speaker, and thought leader teɬkənitkʷ (Elaine Alec) releases her second book, Coming of Age: Overcoming Trauma to Achieve Self-Determination. To mark the release, Alec will embark on a five-city book signing tour across British Columbia beginning in Penticton, May 1, 2025.
Each stop will feature a book reading, conversation with the author, book signing, and community gathering. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
Book Tour Schedule: detailed event listings can be found here.
Salt Spring Island – May 16
150 FULFORD-GANGES ROAD
GANGES, BC, V8K 2T8
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Penticton – May 1
Williams Lake – May 8
Victoria – May 15
Vancouver – June 5 (location TBA)
Building on the teachings of her first book, Calling My Spirit Back, Alec’s latest work blends personal storytelling, community wisdom, and cultural insight to offer pathways to healing, empowerment, and Indigenous-led leadership.
“At its core, Coming of Age is about remembering who we are and freeing ourselves from limiting narratives that hold us back,” Alec says. “This book is not only my story, but a guide for anyone who wishes to overcome trauma, break free from patterns that no longer serve them, and embrace their fullest potential.”
Coming of Age invites readers to explore their own healing journey and come face-to-face with the parts of themselves that need nurturing, understanding, and courage. With insights drawn from Indigenous wisdom, teɬkənitkʷ offers readers a way to reawaken their own inner strength and remember their true identity.
"Coming of Age isn’t a single moment. It’s a series of awakenings, of learning to peel back the layers and find strength in who we truly are. It’s the courage to face our shadows and hold space for our light.” Says Elaine Alec.
Elaine Alec is from the syilx (Okanagan) and secwépemc (Shuswap) Nations and is a respected voice on Indigenous knowledge, leadership, and healing. Coming of Age continues Alec’s journey of sharing tools and truths that speak to the power of reclamation and resilience.
Elaine Alec has dedicated her life to advancing Indigenous knowledge and creating spaces where people feel valued, connected, and seen. Through her work with Naqsmist Storytellers Inc. and her Indigenous-led framework, Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS), she has trained more than 200 facilitators and impacted thousands worldwide, bringing healing-centered leadership to diverse communities.
About teɬkənitkʷ (Elaine Alec):
Elaine Alec is an Indigenous author, entrepreneur, and founder of Naqsmist Storytellers Inc. A proud member of the syilx (Okanagan) and secwépemc (Shuswap) nations, she is known globally as the founder of Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS) a framework rooted in belonging, cultural identity, and emotional safety. Her acclaimed book Calling My Spirit Back shares her healing journey, and her CSS framework has reached more than 11,000 people and trained more than 200 facilitators worldwide. Elaine’s mission is to train one million leaders to foster connection and humanness in every space we occupy.
Elaine Alec | Photo: Lamb Media, 2024 BC
Elaine’s contributions have been widely recognized, with her most recent recognition as BCBusiness Magazine’s 2023 Women of the Year Award for Equity and Inclusion. She envisions training one million leaders globally, cultivating spaces where everyone feels valued, connected, and seen. As a visionary, storyteller, and advocate, she remains devoted to bridging worlds and fostering healing across communities.
