About Us
Shield Maiden
Defense Collective
Shield Maiden Defense Collective is a community-based, by-donation initiative supported by the CIAC. The organization is dedicated to empowering women, strengthening communities, and increasing access to personal safety education through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
Founded by Elle Rose, a former first responder with the Department of National Defence and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, the Collective is grounded in both professional service and lived experience. Originally from Vancouver Island and now operating in the Tri-Cities region of British Columbia, Elle established the program in response to a growing need for accessible, community-centered self-defense training.
Shield Maiden Defense Collective delivers by-donation women’s self-defense seminars designed to provide participants with practical skills, situational awareness, and the confidence to respond effectively in potentially unsafe situations. These programs are intentionally structured to remove financial barriers, ensuring that individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can access training regardless of their ability to pay.
Beyond technical instruction, the Collective emphasizes personal development, resilience, and community connection. Programming is designed not only to improve physical safety, but also to foster confidence, emotional strength, and a sense of belonging among participants.
Through its work, Shield Maiden Defense Collective aims to expand access to martial arts, support underserved populations, and contribute to safer, more connected communities.
Founder,
Elle Rose C
Our Mission: Beyond Seminars
Our mission extends far beyond running self-defense seminars. We are building a movement rooted in accessibility, prevention, and long-term impact—using Jiu-Jitsu as a tool for empowerment, direction, and change.
Expanding Access to Martial Arts
We are committed to creating affordable and accessible programs that allow more people to step into the martial arts community.
With the rising cost of living across British Columbia, many individuals and families are struggling to afford even basic necessities—let alone extracurricular activities like martial arts. This creates a gap where the people who could benefit most from training are often the ones who are left out.
Our goal is to remove those barriers and ensure that anyone seeking growth, safety, and community has a place to start.
Strengthening Youth Through Education
We are actively working to bring Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) into school curriculums, giving youth access to structured, empowering physical education.
School engagement is declining, and many young people are left without direction or support. When youth don’t have positive outlets, that energy can often show up in harmful ways within their communities.
This is something I witnessed firsthand in Brazil—where Jiu-Jitsu provided not just a sport, but a path. It gave young people discipline, purpose, and a sense of belonging, helping them choose a different direction for their lives.
We believe youth here deserve that same opportunity.
Supporting the Next Generation of Athletes
As our programs grow, we aim to build pathways of support for dedicated martial artists.
Many talented individuals are held back by financial barriers—whether it’s the cost of memberships, gear, or competition fees. Our long-term vision is to secure funding and partnerships that allow us to sponsor athletes from within our programs, ensuring they have the opportunity to train, compete, and reach their full potential.
Get Involved
If you’re interested in donating, partnering, or volunteering, I would love to connect with you.
Together, we can create meaningful change in the lives of women, youth, and athletes who need it most.
Thank you for your support—and I’m excited to see where this journey leads, and what opportunities it creates for the next generation.
