Writing, Workshops & Speaking

For as long as I can remember, I have used stories, writing and public speaking to gain a greater understanding of myself, others, my experiences and the world. My greatest joy is connnecting with audiences because stories have the power to transform the way we see ourselves and our relationships, communities and place in the world.

I am often engaged to write, speak and facilitate workshops on a range of topics, including community planning and development; mountain bike tourism and recreation; decolonization and reconciliation; fundraising; and storytelling. My goal in every forum is to connect with others in humorous, fun and memorable ways and help people consider new perspectives or face difficult subjects.

If you would like to retain me to speak at an event, write an article or facilitate a workshop, please contact me at 604.345.6472 or plucas.catalyst@gmail.com.

My Publications

Fear, Recreation & Reconciliation in BC's Backcountry (Editor's Pick of the Week) |The Tyee | November 25, 2019

Creating New Trails and Stories at the End of the Road in Atlin |The Green Gazette | November 4, 2019

New Artistic MTB Trails In The Syéx̱w Chó:leqw Adventure Park | Mountain Culture Group Blog | September 2018

Riding Through Ash & Renewal | Mountain Biking BC Blog | Oct 12, 2018

Trails to Recovery & Resilience | The Green Gazette | June 2018

Trail Weavers – How mountain biking has impacted the Simpcw First Nation | Mountain Culture Group |June 2018

Meet the Minds Behind BC’s Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program | Coast Mountain Culture Group | May 2018

How Mountain Bike Trails are Changing the First Nations Experience | Mountain Culture Group | October 2018

Everything You Know is Wrong | Emerge 17 - The Writer’s Studio Anthology | 2017

Digging a Path to Reconciliation | Vancouver Sun | January 2017

Digging for Reconciliation | Reconciliation Canada Blog | November 2016

This Park is Ours| FreeHub Magazine | Spring 2016

Riding the Indigenous Trails of Turtle Island | Pink Bike Blog | March 2016

"A Unique Journey into the Heart of Laos" |Matador Network Guest Blog Post| May 2008

Speaking Engagements

The Truth About Sport and Reconciliation | University of British Columbia Longhouse, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education | September 2019

Allies on Bikes & Trails | Birdx, Arc’terx Tedx Talk series | September 2019

Riding from Colonialism to Reconciliation | Think Bike Whistler | June 2019

Recreation & Genocide | Western Mountain Bike Advocacy Symposium North Shore Mountain Bike Association & International Mountain Bike Association | October 2018

Community Planning & Storytelling | World Town Planning Day, Canadian Institute of Planners | November 9, 2017

Every Trail Has a Story | Sam Sullivan's Public Salon at Vancouver Playhouse| January 2017

Regional Collaborative Models for Tourism Development| Mountain Bike Tourism Symposium | October 2015

Regional Mountain Bike Tourism Initiatives | Prince George Adventure Tourism Symposium | April 2015

Regional Indigenous/Aboriginal Tourism Strategies | International Aboriginal Tourism Conference | April 2014

Rural Communities & First Nations Partnerships for Tourism Development |Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation National Rural Forum: New Realities, New Relationships| September 2014

First Nations & Mtn Bike Tourism: Building Relationships | Mountain Bike Tourism Symposium| February 2013

Water & Happiness| World Water Day - CUSO – VSO | March 2010

Storytelling

Meat Pie Escape | The Flame (Christmas Edition with Metro Vancouver & Shaw TV) | November 2015

Foreign Brat | The Flame (Vancouver International Fringe Festival) | September 2015

The Platform | The Flame (Cottage Bistro) | April 2015

"The Lottery of Birth" Podcast | Told at All Souls Storytelling Evening: Wild Night & New Road, Celebrating Death and Dying Through Story | October 2015

"Riding the Sacred Headwaters" Storytelling [recording not available]|Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival | February 2015 and World Storytelling Day | Vancouver Society of Storytellers | March 2015