Ta’Kaiya, 11, lives in North Vancouver and is from the Sliammon First Nation. Ta’Kaiya is also known for singing “Amazing Grace” in the Sliammon language, translated by her grandfather.

Ta’Kaiya began working with Aileen since the age of 5 and has performed at large events in both BC and Washington State. She also sings and plays the violin at various coffee shops in Vancouver and North Vancouver. Ta’Kaiya has also recorded the songs “Carried Away,” “Watching Over Me,” and “Wonderful, Beautiful” in June 2011, and “Ajoomish Gloklas” (Amazing Grace) in spring 2012.

A homeschooled student entering Grade 6 this fall 2012, Ta’kaiya particularly enjoys studying about the oceans and marine life. When Ta’Kaiya was in Grade 3, she studied about otters and learned the greatest cause of death to otters was from oil spills.

She then read about the Northern Gateway Pipeline and had the idea to write a song about a future where an oil spill happens. When Ta’Kaiya and Aileen began writing “Shallow Waters,” it was to raise awareness about the proposed Northern Gateway oil pipeline planned between the Alberta Tar Sands and Kitimat, BC. By the time the song was almost finished, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico suddenly happened.

The message from the song “Shallow Waters” is urgent because an oil spill in the northwest coast could tragically end the traditional way of life for many coastal First Nations. It would also devastate all marine and coastal life and habitat.

She was chosen as one of 20 “We Canada” Champions (earthsummit.ca) an organization created to put pressure on Canada to show leadership at the UN Earth Summit 2012 in Rio De Janiero. This Earth Summi’st purpose was to review and set goals for s future that is sustainable and promotes social justice. See her “We Canada” statement on her blog. (Source)