About Us
Building a strong, self-sustaining Indigenous creative community
Where traditional knowledge and contemporary expression thrive side by side.
Mission
To empower Indigenous youth and communities through culturally grounded arts programming, mentorship, and creative expression.
Vision
A strong and self-sustaining Indigenous creative community where traditional knowledge and contemporary expression thrive side by side.
Purpose
Sage Smoke Society supports Indigenous youth and communities by delivering mentorship, skills training, and creative programming rooted in both traditional culture and the five elements of hip-hop.
Our Story
Bridging traditional knowledge and contemporary Indigenous expression
Born from a deep commitment to cultural preservation and creative empowerment, Sage Smoke Society emerged as a response to the need for culturally safe spaces where Indigenous youth could explore both their heritage and contemporary artistic expression.
The Society provides day-to-day arts-based activities including beat-making, graffiti art, hip-hop dance, MCing, clothing design, traditional crafting, beading, drum making, powwow dance workshops, powwow singing workshops, and Indigenous dance.
We also organize events that showcase and promote Indigenous talent and culture, including comedy shows, powwows, round dances, music festivals, and fashion shows.
These initiatives bridge urban Indigenous expression with traditional knowledge while creating culturally safe, empowering opportunities in both urban and reserve communities.
The Society operates strictly as an arts-based organization and does not duplicate health, healing, or therapeutic services.
Community First
Indigenous-led, community-driven
Leadership
Indigenous-led governance
Brooke Ashley
Executive Director
Brooke Ashley is the Executive Director of Sage Smoke Society, bringing over 15 years of experience in Indigenous community leadership, nonprofit program development, and culturally grounded facilitation.
His work is rooted in a commitment to empowering Indigenous individuals through culture, creativity, and community-based programming. Brooke has led and managed a range of initiatives supporting Indigenous youth, adults, and families in areas such as employment readiness, life skills development, housing stability, and cultural connection. Through roles with organizations including BladeRunners, Creating Healthy Aboriginal Role Models (CHARM), Spirit of the Children Society, and the Aboriginal Mothers Centre, he has built strong partnerships and delivered impactful, client-centred programming.
As a Program Manager and community leader, Brooke has successfully developed and scaled initiatives that create real outcomes, including launching a youth program that grew from zero to over 200 participants within its first year and securing over $1.5 million in government funding through culturally informed program design. His work has been recognized with a Youth Leadership Award from the Solicitor General's Office and a nomination for Best Youth Program from the City of Vancouver.
In addition to his nonprofit leadership, Brooke is a multidisciplinary artist and creative professional. He is an audio engineer, recording artist, and live performer, as well as a West Coast formline artist working across multiple mediums including silver, gold, wood, and canvas. His experience also includes graphic design, music production, and live event coordination.
Deeply grounded in Cree and Coastal teachings, Brooke incorporates cultural protocols, ceremony, storytelling, and artistic practice into both his leadership and creative work. This combination of cultural knowledge and technical skill positions him uniquely to lead an arts-based organization.
As Executive Director, Brooke leads the strategic direction, partnerships, and daily operations of Sage Smoke Society, focused on building sustainable infrastructure and meaningful opportunities for Indigenous artists and communities.
Board of Directors
Sage Stephen Smoke
Director
Max Lacerte
Director
Keona Charles
Director
Our Space
A creative studio and community hub
Located in the heart of Vancouver, our space serves as a gathering place for Indigenous artists, youth, and community members. It's a culturally safe environment where creativity flourishes and traditional knowledge is shared.
Primary Space
22 – 45 W Hastings St W
Vancouver, BC V6B 1G4
Canada
Music Studio
Art Studio
Gathering Space
Workshop Area