About
I’m Kristal Parke
Kristal Parke is a talented filmmaker, producer, speaker and podcaster whose work explores identity, belonging, and resilience. A transracial adoptee from a closed adoption, her personal journey fuels her storytelling with authenticity, compassion, and truth. She creates space for unheard voices, shaping narratives that educate, challenge, inspire and heal.
More About Kristal
Born and collected from Kelowna General Hospital, Kristal grew up on the West Coast of Canada in Maple Ridge, BC, before returning to Kelowna in 2012. She shares her life with her five greatest loves—her husband of 16 years, three teenagers, and her German Shorthaired Pointer, Rocky.
Kristal is driven to infuse beauty and inspiration into everything she creates. She finds peace in nature, whether hiking or walking, sitting by the water, or admiring vast skies. A passionate traveler and seeker of human connection, she’s always looking for new stories and perspectives. She also loves getting lost in a good non fiction book, unwinding with smutty reality TV or a thought-provoking documentary.
Kristal and her husband also own Parke Pacific Projects, an Indigenous-owned general contracting company serving communities across Western Canada.
Culture
Kristal was adopted as an infant into a European family, an experience that profoundly shaped her perspective on life. Today, she proudly embraces her First Nations identity as a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation while also honoring her Sicilian, English, and French roots. In 2016, at a church event where the West Kelowna First Nations were invited to drum, Kristal experienced a profound awakening. The sound of the drums and the recognition of Indigenous presence stirred something deep within her—something she could no longer ignore. This moment sparked her journey to reclaim her Indigenous identity.In 2021, she reconnected with her family in Northern Manitoba, deepening her understanding of her cultural heritage. As the granddaughter of Indian Residential School Survivors and the daughter of a Sixties Scoop Survivor, Kristal came to recognize that she, too, is a survivor of the Sixties Scoop. This realization underscored the profound impact of assimilation and strengthened her commitment to advocating for Indigenous people affected by cultural genocide and family separation.
“Being Indigenous always felt like something outside of me, distant yet known. But when I returned to the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in 2021—and again in 2024—something shifted. It wasn’t just a connection; it became a part of me. It finally integrated. I was told to get on the land and I never really understood what that meant or why, but now I do.”
All her life, Kristal was asked if she had Italian heritage, and through Ancestry DNA, she was unexpectedly connected to her Italian family. In May 2021, she and her husband traveled to Siculiana, Agrigento, Sicily, where she visited her great-grandfather’s birthplace.
“Being there, I felt an unshakable sense of home—a deep peace, as if I had always belonged. They were my people, and they saw me as theirs. The richness of Italian culture resonates with my values of family and connection. There’s a saying, ‘Fare una bella figura,’ which means ‘to make a beautiful impression.’ It perfectly reflects how I strive to bring beauty into everything I create.”
This summer, Kristal and her family will travel to England and France and soak in all that the land and people have to offer.
Storyteller
Kristal Parke is a storyteller with an undeniable passion for uncovering the raw, complex, and deeply human experiences that shape us. Through documentary film and podcasting, she creates space for people to share their truths—revealing untold stories, challenging perceptions, and inspiring change.
With a passion for documentary film, Kristal approaches storytelling with curiosity, empathy, and a sharp instinct for drawing out the heart of a narrative. Her acclaimed 2023 film, Because She’s Adopted, was born from her own personal journey of finding her father after believing another man to hold that place for over 20 years. “Surely my story could help other adoptees to feel seen and lead society to a deeper understanding of the adoptee’s experience.” The film challenges conventional adoption narratives, exploring both the gains and the losses adoptees experience. Recognized with multiple awards, including Best Canadian Documentary at the Vancouver International Movie Awards, Because She’s Adopted is a testament to Kristal’s ability to capture deeply personal stories with authenticity and impact.
In 2024, she extended her storytelling to podcasting with the Because She’s Adopted Podcast, a space where adoptees and others affected by adoption could share their lived experiences. With her natural ability to connect, Kristal guides conversations that are both vulnerable and empowering, helping others find meaning in their own journeys.
Shaped by her own experiences, Kristal understands the power of story to heal, educate, and spark progress. Whether through film, podcasting, or intimate conversations, Kristal’s work fosters connection—where people see themselves reflected, learn from one another, and find the courage to embrace their own stories. At her core, Kristal believes in the transformative power of truth and authenticity, using her platform not just to tell stories, but to create space for healing, reflection, dialogue and change.
I have a hunch you’re here because you feel the same way.
Awards
2024
Best Canadian Documentary
Vancouver International Movie Awards
2024
Best Editing Feature Documentary
Okanagan Screen Awards
2024
Official Selection
Okanagan Screen Awards
2024
Official Selection
Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival
2024
Best Feature Doc
Okanagan Screen Awards
2024
Official Selection
Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival
Expertise
BSA
I’m here to serve. Because She is Adopted is built on a bedrock of love, a passion for what’s possible and a commitment to be an unstoppable force for good.
Content
Through our free content, online training programs and anything else we might offer — we’re in this to make a difference. To help you build a life that you truly love. A life that’s one-of-a-kind and brilliantly tailored for you.
Creative Potential
Whether you’re starting your journey or looking to make a big change in your personal life, we’re here to help you reach the highest levels of your creative potential and tap into the deepest wisdom within you.
My Commitment
My commitment is to bring you the very best of what I’m living and learning, while keeping it real and honest as I go. Expect thought-provoking ideas, some goofy antics and an unwavering devotion to help you live your most expansive, expressive and meaningful life.
Social
TikTok
625 followers
519 followers
YouTube
132 subscribers
366 followers
Have a project in mind?
If you have a great idea, reach out to me. Whether it is a small or big project, I will listen first and get back to you with a plan.