LAST ISSUE'S
COVER STAR
WONDER WOMAN
FROM THE WEST
STORY BY ANN FRITZ
STYLED BY I'M HERE WITH MAGAZINE
Her indigenous Cree name is Whispering Two Moons but her friends and fans know her best as
Lesia T. Bear. She is an actress, professional make-up and hair artist, published poet, screenwriter,
producer and is now directing animations for a children’s book. Furthermore, the gorgeous 52 year
old has been a stunt performer in DreamKeeper and Into The West. She started out in Hollywood
North as a host, sharing the story of Vancouver becoming the new Hollywood. Over Lesia's
extensive career she has worked in hit television shows such as: 21 Jump St., X-Files, The Commish,
J.J. Starbuck, Stingray, Wise Guy, and Bury My Heart Wounded Knee plus performing in Distant
Thunder, Red River, Traveler, and The Investigation (The Clifford Olsen Story) Children of the Dust.
A special highlight of her career was a performing a scene with the one and only Sidney Poitier.
Born in Calgary, Lesia was raised on a farm by her grandparents.
Lesia’s road to success on the electronic and
silver screens was not an easy one, and one that required
she grow up quickly. Her professional career began at 16
in hair and make-up becoming the youngest in her class to graduate
from Jacobson's Beauty School in Calgary. She admits this was
not her first love, but her mom, the directors, actors, along with
other make-up and hair professionals thought she was a natural
and one of the best new talents. For Lesia, she wasn't aware yet
that her true desire was to become an actor and writer. She believes,
“When on your journey you have to be honest and mindful,
treat yourself with compassion and kindness. Move beyond your
fears, frustrations and anxiety. Finding your true essence by
calling on your inner power and have the confidence to just go for
it! If you don’t, you’ll be just disappointed in yourself and in your
life. Our community is like a puzzle, if we were all the same shape,
we couldn't create such a beautiful mosaic together. We are all
original and unique.”
A year later in 1982 Lesia ‘went for it’ by moving to Vancouver
and the rest plays out much like a fairytale. “The last time I lived
with my father, James Bear, I was 2. For 11 years I thought my
father was dead. There were misspoken words and misunderstanding's
so I didn’t bring him up because of my visions of moments
in my early years. Sadly, my sister and I also had a complicated
relationship that was turbulent in every unspeakable
way. Regrettably, these moments forever changed our lives. I
tried to focus on the fond memories I did have." Vancouver was
a brand new start for Lesia. "I asked my mom when she was
visiting, where my dad was buried because I wanted to pay my
respects. The look on both my Grandma’s and my Mom’s faces
said it all when I heard them say ‘He’s alive.’ There are no words
to describe what I felt inside; I was a tornado of emotions. I demanded
to see him. It’s a bit of a long story, but it was important
for me to confront my past and connect with loved ones to
find the questions I so badly wanted answered.
I'M HERE WITH | 19