Julie is known for her calm, gentle presence, her big heart and knowledge of culture and protocol. As she says: “Leave footprints of kindness on each step of your journey.”
She is from the Jimmie clan at Squiala First Nation, one of ten children of Alexander Dan Jimmie and Patricia Joan Herrling. Her grandfather on her father’s side was Samuel Jimmie and her grandmother was Theresa Jimmie. Her grandparents on her mother’s side were Oscar Herrling and Minnie Johnson. Julie resides on the Aitzchiltz First Nation.
Julie is most proud of being a mother to her own two children as well as her sister’s daughter. She also fostered another 67 children over the years. “My house on the reserve was known as a kind of safe house for a lot of kids,” says Julie. “Many of the kids were from the streets and had drug problems.” Julie also has four granddaughters, five great grandsons, one great granddaughter and another one on the way.
Julie has worked in the court systems with alternative measures, and she has led circles and mediations. She also works with cedar, making baskets and roses and hats, as well as weaving, jewelry making and baking. She has been with the Agency as an Elder since the beginning, in the early 90s. She was known as the junior Elder back then.
Julie says her greatest learnings have had to do with culture. “It has to run through our bloodline, the teachings and protocols have to be carried on,” says Julie. She belongs to the Squiala Big House.
Julie wants staff and families to know that the Elders are always close by and here for them. Julie ‘s advice to social workers is to not look down on the families they work with, but to meet them at the same level and to use simple, non-jargony language.