About Halena
Halena Seiferling (Halena Lou) is a policy analyst, researcher, writer, and facilitator working in community development and advocacy. She is also a dancer, choreographer, and artist who enjoys creating innovative and powerful performances. Halena is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-waututh) Nations.
Halena was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan (Treaty 4 territory) and grew up training in various dance styles including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and musical theatre. Early highlights of Halena’s dance training included opportunities to take classes from Mia Michaels, Luigi (Eugene Louis Faccuito), the Radio City Rockettes, and the Ailey School in New York City. Halena attended the University of Regina and in 2013 obtained a Bachelors of Arts Honours degree in International Development and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology.
Halena expanded her education by spending a semester abroad in Norway and completing a permaculture farming practicum in Cuba, and began to work in social justice movements including human rights organizing, international solidarity movements, and food sovereignty and climate change action.
Halena moved to Vancouver in 2014 to attend Simon Fraser University’s Masters of Public Policy program. She graduated in 2016 with an award-winning thesis about the barriers for women running for elected office in municipal government.
As a policy analyst and organizer, Halena has worked in climate change adaptation, housing, and social policy, and has professionally advocated for a living wage for all, electoral reform, and improvements to civic engagement. Halena currently leads a community-based non-profit society that advances sex workers’ rights, health, and safety through education, policy advocacy, and community development with diverse stakeholders.
Since 2017, Halena has trained and performed in styles including cabaret, salsa, bachata, and burlesque. Halena has worked with Helvetica Productions, the Vancouver Burlesque Company, La Maison Lust, April O’Peel Productions, Twisted Tassels Productions, the Pin-Up Posse, and LFS Dance, among others, and her choreography has appeared in shows with the Pin-Up Posse, Halt Your Hustle, and Booby Ball Vancouver. Halena also produces her own dance and burlesque shows with a focus on bridging art, politics, education, and entertainment.
Halena is a feminist and activist who is unapologetic about all people being able to express their full selves, without fear or judgement. Halena aims to use her diverse skills and experiences to bring communities together and create social and systemic change through both art and policy.