Denise Brillon has a vast and intimate knowledge of First Nations issues and culture that comes from her own multi-faceted background and work experience. Brillon is Cree and French. She was born and raised in the international village of Port Edward, British Columbia, Canada. As a child she grew up amongst children from many different cultures including Tsimshian, Nisga'a, Haida, Scottish, French, Chinese and Japanese. Port Edward was built around the fishing industry and in the early years, the town was segregated into "Indian, White and Japanese" living quarters. "As a young child, I lived in the Japanese Village in Port Edward and went to Japanese school after school… Port Edward was a place where we were taught to honor each other and all our differences. Our teachers and principals were very supportive of our different cultures." In 1976, Brillon was adopted into the house of Gitx,hawn and given the distinguished name of Nox Hoople (Nox means mother and Hoople is a purple berry found on the Pacific west coast.)

Her extensive work experience in numerous communities has enriched her knowledge of First Nations' cultures and art. She worked in drama for Spirit Song Theatre Company as an actress, writer and director. She then embarked on a career in print and television journalism, until she later owned and operated her own businesses. Recently she has created a new line of products for the retail and wholesale market that are unique yet reflective of her traditional roots. "I was so very blessed to have such a strong and positive up bringing in my native culture. Port Edward was a gift to all of us growing up there because it submerged us together with all our differences and we learned how to get along and laugh and cry with each other."

Brillon says even though she never had the opportunity to learn much about her French heritage, she remembers pretending to speak French as a child. "One of my best friends was Sherry Gaudette and I remember we were so thrilled that we were connected because she was French and I knew I was part French! We would talk in gibberish imitating her parents who spoke fluent French," she laughs. Recently, Brillon visited Montreal and felt a wonderful connection to the people and culture. "I was thrilled to see a street on the map called Brillon Avenue! Crazy as it seems, the name is so unusual that I have never seen my last name on anything let alone a street!" Brillon says there is a whole website dedicated to their history at www.irgb.fr/brillon . She says of her recent trip, "Now I understand why there are so many Cree and French!" LOL