Kyle Young Pine | Recovery Coach & Fancy Feather Dancer

As a kid, Kyle Young Pine grew up skateboarding in Calgary as a means to escape his reality. The community and freedom he found there removed him from the substance use that was happening at home, a result of pervasive generational trauma.

He struggled to find his true identity. He was never taught in the Blackfoot ways, his urban upbringing was far from the Blood Tribe lands, which challenged Kyle to find his true identity. When skateboarding wasn’t enough, Kyle turned to other means of coping, until he was introduced to Fancy Feather Dancing at a local powwow. Now Kyle uses the art form to express himself and educate others on the power of Blackfoot traditions, and help others on their addiction recovery journey.

Kyle’s story – the multi-award-winning documentary film Piita Aapasskaan (pronounced bee·daa bee·sats·bee), The Kyle Young Pine Story – shares his journey of finding art and tradition to express and heal.

This short documentary has captivating imagery, and parallels between skateboarding and Fancy Feather Dancing. While the story may be bright and colourful, its deeper meaning is to inspire others to be their best selves. Kyle is now a recovery coach at Recovery Coaches Alberta, devoted father and Fancy Feather Dancer who inspires and guides others on their own journey to wholeness.