Johnny Aitken

Elder Johnny Aitken, he/they identifies as a queer 2Spirit with Coast Salish, Haida, and Scottish lineage. They consider themself “mixed up” in a beautiful way and see this blood mixture as a gift and sometimes a troublesome curse. Johnny’s blood combination allows them to imagine and create through the lens of blended cultures and history… these give them an entangled but unique and curious perspective. Johnny also came from a very complex traumatic childhood, which they explore and heal in all the work they execute. They are freely vulnerable but often need to manifest their own safe place to be at ease. They do this with a shield on, a “creative protective shield.” Moving into sometimes dangerous territory to exit fully intact is their goal and objective.

Up and Coming Events!

Saturday, September 19, 2026
11:00 AM 12:00 PM
Room C400, UBC Robson Square
800 Robson Street Vancouver

WRITING FOR CHILDREN:
WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS? QUEER RESILIENCE AND JOY WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Queer writers in North America face increasing censorship, including having books with any kind of representations of queer families, children, and youth pulled from shelves and banned by school boards. Libraries face threats when hosting drag story hours and anti-SOGI (sexual orientation gender identity) platforms are being used to elect representatives to school boards and governments. In this timely and necessary panel, we will explore the queer spirit, joy, and determination needed to write queer stories for and featuring children and youth.

Saturday, September 19, 2026
12:30 PM 1:30 PM
Childrens Tent, UBC Robson Square
800 Robson Street Vancouver

GROWING CONNECTIONS: STORIES OF LANGUAGE, FRIENDSHIP, AND BELONGING • CHILDREN (AGES 6–8; GRADES 1–3)

Join children’s book creators E.G. Alaraj, Rachel Wada, Elaine Su, Jess Willows, and Johnny Aitken for a joyful celebration of stories that help young readers connect with themselves, their communities, and one another.

Through tales of language, culture, kindness, imagination, and friendship, these creators explore how books can nurture empathy, curiosity, and belonging. Together, these works show how storytelling can open space for understanding, connection, and growth. Perfect for families, educators, and anyone who loves children’s literature.

Saturday, September 19, 2026
3:30 PM 4:30 PM
Room C440, UBC Robson Square
800 Robson Street Vancouver

RESILIENCY AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS

As queers across North America and beyond face increasing threat and diminishment of hard-won human rights, we check in with writers who have faced significant personal and political challenges and emerged creative and resilient on the other side. This intergenerational panel brings together younger and elder queers and invites the audience to enter into a lively discussion of creative resilience through a queer lens.

A Brief Art History

My interest in the arts began in the 1980’s, at age fifteen I was introduced to break dancing, this led to an interest in other dance forms such as ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance. Most of my time was focused on contemporary dance, I enjoyed the freedom of expression, the incorporation of theatre into the form. I learned the most from Victoria B.C.’s renowned contemporary dancer, Lynda Raino. I was also involved and belonged to Stages Dance Company in Victoria B.C. led by Artistic Director, Kim Breiland. A highlight of being a member of Stages Dance Company was touring in Russia in 1987. The tour was titled, “Youth Ambassadors for Peace”. The company toured and danced in Moscow, Leningrad and Odessa.

I discontinued dancing in 1991 and had a very short stint in the modeling industry.

In 2009, I was catapulted back to performing on stage when I had a casual conversation with award winning animation artist Gail Noonan on a B.C. Ferry trip, which resulted in the beginning of a 60-minute non-verbal, physical theatre piece titled “the Gift”. “the Gift” is based on the fact that I did not speak until the age of eighteen due to complex childhood trauma.

During the pandemic, I made a reluctant pivot out of theatre and started writing. My first children’s book is going to be published by Victoria’s Orca Publishing. A book about friendship and reconciliation between two children named Johnny and Jessie. It is due to be launched in May 2025. The book’s title: Two Tricksters, Find Friendship. All my creative work includes this one question: “where is the medicine?”. This reminds me that all that I do needs to have a healing element to it!

“Frogs”