Louise never imagined after retiring as a social worker from Xyólheméylh seven years ago that she would return as an Elder, but that’s what happened and she’s enjoying her new role. “I’m now standing on the outside looking in and sometimes able to see what the social workers and parents can’t see. It’s a nice role,” says Louise. “I’m a happy Elder.”
Louise, whose traditional name is Masquaelta, is from the Sumas First Nation and the daughter of Dr. Ray Silver and Irene Silver. Her grandparents on her father’s side were Ambrose and Jean Silver, and on her mother’s side, Sol and Louisa Miller. She is the eldest of 12 children.
Louise worked with Xyólheméylh for twenty years as a social worker and has seen a lot of changes in the agency since the beginning when there were only seven staff working out of a basement of a house on Stó:lō grounds. Louise believes that Xyólheméylh can work in a good way by allowing parents and children to have a voice and to nurture culture. “I believe children in care should be given the opportunity to find out who they are, their roots and where they belong.”
One of Louise’s greatest learnings was learning she was ok, as a human being, as a woman, mother, and grandmother. “It took me a long time to love myself,” says Louise. Another big learning has been the
importance of relationships with other women. She says since her mother died when Louise was in her early 30s, the creator brought women into her life to go through different stages in her life. “I met women I needed at the time to carry on with my growth and recovery.”