What if becoming yourself isn't about choosing one identity—but finally giving yourself permission to embrace all of them?

In this episode of Dare to Be Us, Ruth sits down with Mi’kmaq scientist, artist, author, model and advocate Raven Elwell Stephens for a deeply personal conversation about identity, culture, purpose and finding your voice.

Raven shares her unconventional journey from aviation to biology, her experience growing up in foster care and reconnecting with her Indigenous community, and how art became another way to preserve and share cultural knowledge.

We explore her book Painting Our Legacy, which uses makeup artistry to represent Indigenous teachings, stories and symbols, as well as her experience in the Miss Indigenous Canada Leadership Program, where she became Second Runner Up and received both the Cultural Presentation and Public Speaking Awards.

But this conversation goes much deeper than accomplishments.

Raven and Ruth talk about:

• Indigenous identity and reconnecting with culture • Foster care and intergenerational experiences • Art as storytelling and cultural preservation • The Seven Sacred Teachings • Women supporting women instead of competing • Imposter syndrome and mental health • Beauty, aging and self-acceptance • Indigenous representation in fashion and media • Using your voice when you're afraid to speak • Redefining success beyond money and status • Two-Eyed Seeing—bringing Indigenous knowledge and Western science together • Finding purpose without forcing yourself into one box

At the heart of this conversation is a reminder that our stories don't have to be perfect or linear to have meaning.

Sometimes the parts of ourselves that don't seem to belong together are exactly what make us who we are.

If this episode resonates with you, follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who needs to hear Raven's story.

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GUEST — RAVEN ELWELL STEPHENS

📸 Instagram:@ravenstephens

📸 Art & beadwork: @ravenxbeads 📖 Author of Painting Our Legacy

💛 Dare to be weird. Dare to heal. Dare to be us.