Biography of Tchadas Leo

TCHADAS LEO’S BIOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW

Tchadas Leo is a highly decorated, multi-award-winning Indigenous journalist, podcaster, and filmmaker whose work is redefining reconciliation and positive Indigenous storytelling across Canada. A graduate of BCIT’s Broadcast and Journalism program, Leo’s prolific media journey began at just 12 years old. Today, he is the creator and host of Our Native Land, a nationally recognized television series and podcast that explores Indigenous cultures, languages, and contemporary issues with unmatched authenticity and pride.

Leo’s extensive body of work has garnered some of the most prestigious accolades in Canadian media. Most recently, he was awarded the 2026 Lieutenant Governor’s B.C. Journalism Fellowship, administered in partnership with the Jack Webster Foundation. With this fellowship, Leo is undertaking a massive investigative project into the climate vulnerability, aging infrastructure, and emergency access challenges facing remote First Nations communities – a testament to his dedication to human-rights-centered journalism that holds power to account and amplifies voices that often go unheard.

This latest honor joins a long list of achievements, including winning the 2025 CAJ/JHR Emerging Indigenous Journalist Award for his impactful reporting on the deteriorating road access to the Ditidaht First Nation. In addition, his trailblazing work earned him the 2024 RTDNA Canada Emerging Journalist Award, and Our Native Land was celebrated as the “Outstanding Indigenous Series” at the Canadian Podcast Awards. As a 2023–24 CJF–CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellow, he spent a month at CBC Winnipeg deepening his investigative focus on reconciliation and the lived experiences of Indigenous communities across the country.

Currently a multimedia journalist at CHEK News, Leo consistently delivers powerful, deeply researched stories, taking on every aspect of production from researching and shooting to editing. He is a trailblazer in the newsroom, having pioneered CHEK’s Indigenous-language name writing initiative to advocate for respectful representation both on-air and behind the scenes. Driven by a profound commitment to expanding his journalistic impact on a national scale, Leo uses his platform to foster meaningful conversations that inspire tangible action.

Beyond the newsroom, Leo also works in the literary space with a passion for language revitalization. He co-spearheaded the self-publishing of Xwemalhkwu Hero Stories, a groundbreaking graphic novel that brings traditional tales and contemporary narratives of the Xwemalhkwu First Nation to life through vivid illustrations and culturally grounded storytelling. The critically acclaimed book highlights Indigenous Elders and youth while exploring themes of resilience, identity, and community. Within just six months of its release, the project generated over $7,000 in profit for the Xwemalhkwu First Nation, cementing Leo’s status as a leader in Indigenous-led publishing. The novel is now widely utilized in school districts across the province and digitally across the country.

Leo believes passionately that informed storytelling can drive profound understanding and healing. His ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of Indigenous media makers while continuing to champion truth, respect, and representation. He describes his educational journey as a lifelong adventure, which currently includes:

-BCIT Broadcasting & Journalism Diploma (2022)
-Third-Year Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies (VIU)
-Seven years of combined musical education in classical guitar at the Victoria & Toronto Royal Conservatories of Music
-Grade 12 graduation from Carihigh’s Francophone program
-Six years of film and television production training at CRTV (now SHAW)
-Drama, Documentary & Animation programs at Gulf Islands Film & TV School

TCHADAS LEO’S BIOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW

Tchadas grew up near Campbell River, a coastal community in northern Vancouver Island. Tchadas is married to singer, painter, and art teacher Sarah Leo. They live in Ladysmith with their young son Koah.

When Tchadas is not engaged in connecting with community, chasing stories, and producing new content, he enjoys playing guitar, going to the gym, taking his boat on salmon-fishing expeditions, and spending time with family and friends. Tchadas’ Indigenous lineage belongs with the Xwemalhkwu First Nation and the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. He also has South American Peruvian / Argentinian ancestry. Indigenous content is one of Tchadas many interests, and it is often reflected in his work.

Tchadas’s early passion for film and television started at age 12, when fascinated by a school career-fair presentation, by Campbell River Television Network (CRTV), he approached the presenters and offered to volunteer as a trainee. CRTV trained him for four years, and at age 16 hired him as an Assistant Producer. During his time with CRTV (now Shaw), Tchadas produced a documentary on the Indigenous coastal nations’ Canoe Journeys. He also produced and hosted the series “The Native Perspective,” and the French Program “Les Etoiles du Future.” By then, Tchadas had already developed a passion for being in front of the camaras, reporting, and asking questions.

Tchadas’ vocational training started to take roots when he obtained a Documentary /Animation/Drama Production certification from the Gulf Islands Film & Television School. After graduating from high school, Tchadas took over three years of Vancouver Island University’s Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Program. From 2020

to 2022, Tchadas ha d to move to Vancouver to complete his BCIT Broadcasting & Online Journalism Diploma. During those busy years, he continued to produce content for his CHEK TV podcast “Our Native Land,” the Xwemalhkwu First Nation’s “Our People Our History” podcast, and 4VI’s “Indigenous Voices of Vancouver Island” podcast. In addition, Tchadas commuted to the Island, during weekends, to spend time with his wife and newborn child.

Tchadas describes his education journey as a lifelong adventure, that so far includes:

BCIT Broadcasting & Journalism Diploma (2022)
Third Year Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies VIU
Seven years of combined musical education in classical guitar at the Victoria & Toronto Royal Conservatories of Music
Grade 12 graduation from Carihigh’s Francophone program
Six years of film and television production training at CRTV (now SHAW)
Drama, Documentary & Animation programs at Gulf Islands Film & TV School