DJ O Show, also known as Orene Askew, will be performing at the Squamish Arts Festival on Aug. 17 at the Sk'akw'us Feather Park, an event she affectionately calls her return to the "motherland." Raised on the Capilano Reserve, Askew feels a deep connection to the land where she grew up.
“I love DJing in the Squamish Valley,” she said. “It feels great to be up there, seeing family and friends—it feels like home. DJing on our ancestral territory is always so much fun.”
Askew’s music blends her Indigenous and Black heritage, with her mother hailing from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and her father from Gary, Indiana. “I’ve been immersed in Indigenous culture my whole life, and that’s shaped everything I do,” she said.
Since launching her DJ career in 2012, DJ O Show has performed at major events, including Vancouver Canucks games, where she entertained over 18,000 fans. She also serves as the B.C. representative on the Two-Spirit Council of the Assembly of First Nations.
Askew credits her community for supporting her journey. “The support poured in from everyone,” she said. “That’s where you have to start—your community will lift you up.”
“As a DJ, you have to observe a lot at once—like, is this person dancing? Even something as small as a toe tap can tell you something. That’s what I love about DJing—it’s risky sometimes because you don’t know how the crowd will react,” she said.
A 2019 National Indigenous Music Impact Study (NIMIS) revealed that Indigenous music contributed almost $78 million to Canada’s economy and supports more than 3,000 full--time positions across the country. Askew is determined to elevate Indigenous voices within the industry. “There aren’t many Indigenous DJs in this genre,” she said. “It’s tough when you don’t see many people who look like you. That’s why I try to be visible, so others can see it’s possible.”
Looking ahead, Askew dreams of collaborating with one of her idols. “I’ve always wanted to work with Janet Jackson. I’d love to be the opening DJ for one of her concerts, setting the mood for the crowd with tracks from old school to new school.”
And when it comes to getting the crowd moving, one song stands out for her: “‘Come and Get Your Love’ by Redbone,” she said. “No matter where I’m at, that song always gets people tapping their toes.”
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
