Nootka Media: Storytelling Rooted in Culture and Pride

Born in Banff and raised in the Tseshaht community of Port Alberni, Joey Byrne grew up surrounded by strong family values, sports, and the rich traditions of his Nuu-chah-nulth heritage. Deeply connected to the communities of Tofino, Ucluelet, and Bamfield, Joey learned early on the power of teamwork, perseverance, and community pride. A pivotal moment in his journey came while traveling with his grandmother, who proudly wore her full Nuu-chah-nulth regalia around the world. Witnessing how people from other cultures admired and celebrated her presence sparked a profound shift in Joey’s mindset from quiet representation to a deep sense of pride and purpose rooted in his Indigenous identity. That experience inspired his passion to tell authentic Indigenous stories through a modern lens.

That vision came to life with the launch of Nootka Media, an Indigenous-owned storytelling and media agency based on Vancouver Island. Together with his half-brother Christian Enns, who shares Mi’kmaq ancestry and grew up in Campbell River, Joey built a company dedicated to capturing the beauty, strength, and spirit of Indigenous life. Christian’s early entrepreneurial ventures and love for action sports evolved into a mastery of drone videography and content creation; skills that perfectly complement Joey’s storytelling vision. With support from NEDC, which provided not only funding, but also valuable mentorship, workshops, and training opportunities, Joey and Christian have been able to strengthen their business skills, build clientele, and grow their confidence as Indigenous entrepreneurs.