Coming of Age Book Launch

Join Massy Books, Elaine Alec, and Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee, for the launch of "Coming of Age: Overcoming Trauma to Achieve Self-Determination" at 6 pm on Thursday, June 5th.

Venue:

The event will be hosted at the Native Education College, at 285 E 5th Ave, Vancouver, BC.

Registration is free or by donation and required for entry. We ask that you assess your proximity to privilege and donate where you can. This event is being sponsored by Massy Books and the author, with all donations set to cover venue rental fees.

The venue is wheelchair accessible and a gender-neutral washroom is on-site.

Please refrain from wearing scents or heavy perfumes.

Covid Protocols: Masks keep our community safe and are recommended. We ask if you are showing symptoms, that you stay home. Thank you kindly.

About the Book:

What if coming of age wasn’t about age at all—but about remembering who you are?

In this powerful blend of memoir, Indigenous wisdom, and healing framework, author and community leader Elaine Alec shares her journey of overcoming addiction, shame, and generational trauma to reclaim her identity and voice. Through personal stories, cultural teachings, and practical tools from her Cultivating Safe Spaces framework, this book offers a pathway to emotional healing, self-determination, and reconnection.

This is not just a story of survival—it’s a call to remember your humanness, to break generational cycles, and to step into your purpose with clarity and courage.

Grounded in the lived experiences of a syilx and secwepemc woman, Coming of Age is for anyone seeking to heal from trauma, embrace their identity, and transform how they relate to themselves and the world around them.

Perfect for readers of self-help, trauma recovery, Indigenous leadership, and personal growth.

About the Author:

Elaine Alec (teɬkənitkʷ), an Indigenous author from the syilx and secwepemc nations. She is an entrepreneur and advocate for healing, self-determination and reconnection.

She is a proud member of the syilx (Okanagan) and secwepemc (Shuswap) nations, born in syilx territory and gifted the name teɬkənitkʷ (“Standing by Water”) by her tema (grandmother). Her mission is rooted in advancing reconciliation, fostering belonging, and cultivating spaces of emotional safety for all humans.

As the founder of Naqsmist Storytellers Inc. and creator of the framework, she has dedicated her life to dismantling systems of oppression and inspiring individuals to think different, dream big, and lead bold.

About the Moderator:

Ta7talíya Nahanee (she/her) belongs to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). She is a decolonial creative and educator who lives and works in her ancestral homelands on the shared territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, also known as the City of Vancouver.

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