Paula Wesley (Siyámotsiya) is a First Nations Deaf artist, carver, storyteller, consultant, educator, and presenter with Ts’msyen and Stó:lō roots. A graduate of the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, her multidisciplinary practice includes carving, painting, design, storytelling, movement, performance, and sign language.

Paula’s work is grounded in cultural teachings, lived experience, and relationships with family, Elders, artists, and community. Her practice explores Indigenous identity, Deaf experience, cultural memory, healing, and the power of visual language, connecting ancestral knowledge with present day stories.

Paula has also contributed to national advocacy and policy work involving Indigenous Sign Languages, accessibility, and the rights of Indigenous Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing people.

As a mentor at RootsPulse Fest, Paula encourages emerging artists to trust their own perspectives and create work rooted in who they are. Through storytelling, movement, visual expression, and cultural connection, she supports artists in finding the heart of their stories while considering who those stories are for, why they matter, and what should remain within family or community.

Julian Ortiz is a Deaf interpreter, ASL performer, and accessibility advocate dedicated to making music and live events more inclusive for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences. With years of experience in ASL performance and interpretation, Julian combines expressive storytelling, rhythm, and visual language to create engaging performances that connect with audiences through visual expression.

His work spans concerts, community events, and major productions, where he collaborates with artists and creative teams to make performances more accessible and culturally authentic. Julian is passionate about elevating Deaf talent and promoting accessibility as an essential part of the creative process.

As a mentor at RootsPulse Fest, Julian will share his professional experience, creative skills, and practical knowledge with emerging Deaf artists. Through workshops and mentorship, participants will explore visual performance, storytelling, accessibility, and artistic collaboration while gaining confidence, developing their creative voice, and building meaningful connections within the Deaf arts community.

Dr. Jenelle Rouse is a Black Deaf contemporary visual body movement artist, educator, and accessibility advocate. A recipient of the Coronation Medal and a sessional professor, she has worked across the arts as a consultant, translator, workshop facilitator, presenter, researcher, and writer. Since 2010, Jenelle has collaborated with artists, directors, technicians, and creative teams to develop performances that tell powerful stories through movement, expression, and visual language without relying on spoken words or music.

As a mentor at RootsPulse Fest, Jenelle will share her knowledge, creative process, and professional experience with emerging Deaf artists. Through her workshops and mentorship, participants will explore visual storytelling, body movement, and authentic artistic expression while gaining practical skills to strengthen their own creative practice.

Visual Vernacular • Sign Language Poetry • Visual Storytelling

Jamila Ouahid is a Deaf multidisciplinary artist based in Stockholm, Sweden, with family roots in Morocco, North Africa. She is a freelance actor, performer, and workshop leader with a passion for sign language art and visual storytelling. Specializing in Visual Vernacular (VV) and sign language poetry, Jamila has performed internationally at festivals and cultural events and has led workshops for people of different ages and backgrounds. She performs both independently and alongside her twin sister, Amina Ouahid.

As a mentor at RootsPulse Fest, Jamila will share her experience in Visual Vernacular, sign language poetry, performance, and visual storytelling with emerging Deaf artists. Through her workshops and mentorship, participants will explore visual expression, movement, identity, and culture while developing their own creative approaches to visual performance. Jamila’s artistic practice celebrates the richness and creative possibilities of sign language and its ability to connect with audiences across different languages and cultures.