History

Brandon was born at Langley Memorial Hospital January 2nd, 1979. He was raised by his parents Natch and Cheryl, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, which are too many to name, on the Kwantlen Reserve and is now a resident of Fort Langley.  

Brandon’s great, great grandfather was one of the first to portage to Fort Langley with the Hudson’s Bay Company when Fort Langley was first established in 1827, and married a Kwantlen Princess.  His heritage is mixed with French, Chinese, Interior Salish, and Coast Salish.  He is the eldest nephew of Chief Marilyn Gabriel

Education

Brandon’s education started at Ft. Langley Elementary, then on  to Walnut Grove Sr. Secondary, where he graduated, then went on to study at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and attained his BFA from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2006. 

Brandon’s parents realized at a young age that he had the desire, ability and aptitude to become an artist.  At the age of twelve he was enrolled in his first art lessons with Langley artist Barbara Boldt.  Barbara taught Brandon how to paint, and helped foster his affinity for art.  It was in his high school years that Brandon discovered his passion for painting, mixed media sculpture, photography and graphic design.

Career

Brandon is the Historical Researcher, Arts & Culture Representative for Kwantlen First Nation, and the Marketing and Special Projects Coordinator for the Seyem Qwantlen Business Group in Fort Langley, and an Honorary Member of the Anthropology Faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he guest lectures, is a public speaker on behalf of the Kwantlen First Nation, and acts as a liaison for special projects with the students and alumni at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Brandon also works contractually, and liaison for various private, corporate, and community organizations including Parks Canada, The Fort Langley Business Improvement Association, Tourism Langley, Langley Arts Council, TRB Architecture Inc, BC Hydro, and the Langley School District #35 Aboriginal Programs.

Since attaining his BFA he has held many volunteer positions in his community such as the following:  Board Of Directors for the Langley Arts Council, Public Art Advisory Committee for the City of Langley, Curriculum Development Advisory Committee for the University of the Fraser Valley Aboriginal Arts Certificate Program and the Museum Committee for the Township of Langley. Brandon continues to give back to his community – by donating his time and energy while working collaboratively with the Salvation Army Gateway of Hope and various community businesses and organizations for this year’s “Ride Into History: To Make Homelessness History: fundraiser and motorcycle rally in Langley.  In addition to this he is a participant and volunteer for the Annual Terry Fox Hometown Run and Annual River and Trails Festival in Port Coquitlam. 

Brandon has several upcoming projects to watch out for in the coming year, this includes the design and collaboration with students of a new logo design for the Langley Fine Arts School. As well as an appearance of his Gasoline Alley Mural in Fort Langley for scenes in an Episode of Warner Bros. Canada production of “Supernatural” which airs on “Space” on March 9th 2012, as well as a possible drawing instruction course of First Nations Visual Culture at Disney/Pixar Animation Studios Canada in Vancouver.

Brandon has ideas and plans to continue his studies at the Justice Institute of British Columbia in the Aboriginal Leadership Diploma Program and plans to continue his career based in Langley.