Miss Christie Lee

Christie Lee Charles was the City of Vancouver’s first Indigenous Poet Laureate. She is a rapper, storyteller, poet, Coastal hand drum singer, filmmaker, and speaker for her ancestors, and a direct descendent of the great warrior Capilano. Growing up in world of music, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm artist Christie Lee has been focused on hip-hop where, as an emcee, she incorporates her traditional knowledge and ancient hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ dialect. As a “full-time mother and a hip-hop lover”, she raps about life, culture, and empowerment, with a passion to empower Indigenous youth to be proud of their roots. As the City’s Poet Laureate, her connections to multiple communities helped build new relationships in Vancouver to elevate the role of Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and urban Indigenous poetry, literary, and cultural practices.