Suzette Amaya on Her Identity, Career, and New Webseries
With a Diploma in Criminology and an Associates of Arts Degree, Suzette Amaya never imagined she would become a renowned reality TV star on Big Brother Canada, or a motivational speaker touring the country. Amaya’s illustrious career includes being a support worker in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, founder, creator, and host of award-winning radio show ThinkNDN, and owner of Samaya Entertainment. Despite the differences each career has, the one constant that remains is how passionate she is about giving back to the community. So how does Amaya manage all these careers? How is her new web series, Suzette Amaya TV faring? I sat down with her to find out.
The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.
How did you decide you wanted to enter the entertainment business?
Well, I had no idea that I would end up in the field that I am in now. My education is in Criminology, so I did a lot of work in the criminal justice system right out of college and university; working as a prison guard, doing like auxiliary policing. My “regular” career is working in the Downtown Eastside as a support worker.
The turning point for me was when I saw how the media portrayed us during the [Robert] Pickton trial where Indigenous women were going missing and murdered. I recognized how insensitive and dehumanizing it was and I wanted to make a difference. Entertainment was a way to break stereotypes for me. I felt I represented so many people, being Indigenous, plus-size, and a mother.
How did your family background influence your career?
The reason I started in Criminology was because I wanted to help victims who had suffered from sexual assault or domestic abuse, which is what I was surrounded by growing up. At a young age my father was killed on Hastings and Main by a bus when he was walking across the street. My life changed drastically being raised by a single mother. I also suffered a lot of abuse by a live-in boyfriend.
When I saw the opportunities in the criminal justice system in terms of policing and corrections, it didn’t fit my personality and I felt was more suited to help people from a different perspective. I feel grateful to be able to help young people who are suicidal or people going through poverty because those are the things I can relate to and have experienced myself. I hope to inspire my clients so they can see that these adversities can make us stronger.
Why is it so important for you to represent your First Nations identity in your career?
Especially when I was younger, Indigneous people weren’t well represented in media, paper, print, radio, TV, or social media. I wanted to break the negative stereotypes surrounding who Indigenous people were. I experienced racism and so many incidents where we weren’t able to be at the table with everybody else. We weren’t acknowledged for being the fabric of this country’s history.
Seeing the statistics of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, the systemic racism in the criminal justice system, education system, and in the medical system angered me. I want to showcase and highlight the strides that minorities and especially First Nations people make in their respective societies.
The last time we spoke in June, you mentioned that your web series was about to air. What was it like working on Suzette Amaya TV, and what has the reception to your show been?
It’s been great! I’ve put out 2 episodes of my show now, and we’re working on our third episode. [Suzette Amaya TV] has been highlighting Indigenous and non-Indigneous artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
Like I said, I’m more of a reality TV personality and I have more of a non-scripted kind of personality. With this web series it’s been so great to just go out there and highlight the things I do and the people that I meet. Since airing, I’ve also received sponsorships from companies like Aya Eyewear, and I also started my own eyelash line and merch line. This show has really allowed me to think more outside the box and fully utilize my skills in marketing and networking.
How do you manage so many careers at once?
I just never sleep! I’m a bit of a workaholic. Right now, I just got back from emceeing, took a ferry from Tsawassen to Vancouver, and binge-watched a bit of Gossip Girls. I’m also going to be working a graveyard shift tonight! I’m really grateful that I have my husband to support me, and that the people I work with are so positive.
As an entrepreneur, it takes money to make money so I really work hard to balance my life between graveyard shifts and quality time with my children, but also focussing on my business and the artists that I manage. When I have to pick and choose how to balance my life, I have to choose what’s most important to me and that’s helping people. When you’re passionate and you love doing what you do, it hardly seems like work!
What advice would you give to First Nations youth looking to break into the entertainment business?
Work on yourself and believe in yourself. The industry can be hard because there will be times when you feel discouraged. There is room for everybody in the entertainment industry and every voice is so important. All stories should be shared so my advice is for young people is just to believe and love yourself always!