CANADA IS A BOUNTY of delicious, untold stories, says Felipe Gomez. And he’s driven to uncover and share them. In fact, he has already started.

Gomez, a Chilean-Canadian filmmaker, is also known as Felipe the Explorer. The tag couldn’t be more apt. “I was born with a heart for songs, stories and cycling,” he says, “and they’re all fuelled by my love of food and family.”

His cinematic quest gained momentum in 2016 with the Bike and Bass Tour, which combined music and a cycling expedition to bring art and culture to rural communities in northern Saskatchewan.

Then, as part of a government initiative to promote the province, Gomez became 2021’s Saskatchewanderer, travelling in the CAA-branded wanderer-mobile to film his journey for a broader audience. It spawned a passion for indigenous cuisine.

His most recent venture is the web series Big Heart/Small Town. In it, Gomez and co-host chef Jodi Robson (a member of the Okanese First Nation) explore Saskatchewan’s Indigenous food traditions by taste-tripping through the province.

“Canada is made of many small places,” notes Gomez. “Putting them at the centre of our storytelling gives people a chance to experience places they’ve never even heard of.”

The program spotlights individuals dedicated to preserving Indigenous recipes, and Gomez intends to take the series nationwide. “We’re aiming to feature stories from communities across the country.”

Get ready for some delectable tales.

Do you know of a Canadian who deserves to be recognized for doing good in their community? Send us their story at drivenbygoodmb@caamanitoba.com and they could be featured in an upcoming issue.