Alissa Assu

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT ALISSA ASSU

My name is Alissa Assu (Derrick-Nguyễn) — I am Nisga’a, Vietnamese, and a proud member of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, belonging to the Laksamshu (Fireweed and Owl) Clan. As a mother, former Youth-In-Care, kidney transplant survivor, and Indigenous entrepreneur, my journey has been one of resilience, reclamation, and renewal. My work is deeply rooted in traditional ecological knowledge, land stewardship, and intergenerational healing — weaving together ceremony, storytelling, and sustainable business practices that honour both community and culture. I am the founder of West Coast Wildflowers and co-owner of Bear Essential Oils and RavenSong Soap & Candle, three Indigenous-owned businesses that embody values of authenticity, reciprocity, and respect for the lands and peoples they represent. Bear Essential Oils is an Indigenous wellness brand that honours cultural knowledge, community spirit, and self-care. We proudly offer 100% pure, organic, ethically sourced, and wildcrafted essential oils — blending cultural teachings with modern wellness in ways that uplift and empower. West Coast Wildflowers is an Indigenous lifestyle boutique located on the traditional territory of the Ligwiłda’xw Peoples on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Our mission is to support authentic Indigenous artisans and other talented makers across Canada. By fostering local and ethical commerce, we aim to strengthen community connections and grow our local economies — one story, one product, and one partnership at a time. RavenSong Soap & Candle continues this work by infusing ceremony and storytelling into every design, offering handcrafted creations that reconnect people to culture, place, and purpose. Through each venture, my goal is to create safe and inclusive spaces for Indigenous Peoples in competitive retail markets — spaces that reflect a different worldview and challenge the ongoing appropriation of Indigenous identity. I am proud to be a 2022/2023 Coralus Activator, working alongside changemakers committed to reimagining business through collective care and shared leadership. Ultimately, my work is about more than entrepreneurship — it’s about healing through creation, uplifting authentic Indigenous voices, and building a future rooted in reciprocity, respect, and relationship.