Massimo Calabrese, B.A.

Indigenous Rights Research Assistant

Massimo grew up in Williams Lake, British Columbia, on the unceded Secwépemc territory of the T’exelc (Williams Lake First Nation). He graduated from the University of Victoria in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History with a focus on the history of British Columbia.

Massimo’s main research interests revolve around colonialism in what is now British Columbia, including Indigenous resistance to colonialism in the BC interior, the early colonial administration of the Cariboo Gold Rush, the relationship between Catholic missionaries and Indigenous leaders in the BC interior, fur trade diplomacy and Indigenous economic agency, and non-Indigenous support of Indigenous rights in the early colonial period. His honours thesis examined land, Indigenous agency, and colonialism in the Williams Lake area from 1821-1881.

Massimo is also an advocate for the importance of learning local history. He has published multiple historical articles for the Williams Lake Tribune and serves as a volunteer on the Board of Directors of the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin in Williams Lake.

Email: massimo@kwusen.com