Issue Three | Page 21

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