Bio coming soon.

Leona says she loves being an Elder with Xyólheméylh and is very involved with the Sq’epqotel Court Project which helps create a more culturally safe space for Indigenous people in the Family Court system. “I love working with people and going to court every Tuesday to support families as part of the Sq’epqotel Court Project. I really enjoy it. It’s …

When Elaine’s mother Mary Malloway would take her to meetings of the Xyólheméylh and Qwi:qwelstom Elders, little did she know that Mary was preparing for her to take over her role as an esteemed Elder in the Stó:lō community. Mary passed away in 2023 and that is exactly what has happened. Elaine is the Hereditary Chief of the Yeqwyeqwi:ws First …

Greg Poitras is passionate about helping people get their feet on the ground and to be proud of themselves. “We have to love ourselves first, the heart must be open to you as a person so it can open itself up to others,” says Greg. Greg was one of the Elders for the Xyólheméylh Men’s Wellness Group and he talks …

Leo was born in 1941 to Red River Métis “Michif” parents in Manitoba. He was one of seven children. “I spent my growing years learning my culture and the importance of family,” says Leo. “Family used to take care of family. I spent a lot of time with a variety of relatives until I was five years of age.” Leo …

Desta made a decision a long time ago to look on the bright side of life. She says she didn’t want to be one of those old people who “got sour and crabby.”  Looking at the bright side of life is a theme she explores in her creative writing which has won awards and a quality she brings to Xyólheméylh …

Before Cynthia was taken from her mother at the age of six during the ‘60s Scoop, she remembers sitting on a bridge over a river with her mother on the Long Plain First Nation in Manitoba. They were swinging their feet and her mother’s slipper fell into the river. “We watched the river take it and it was one of …

Allan is a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation from Waglisla, BC where he was raised learning about his culture, and learning about plant medicine from his mother.  “Smudging was a ritual that was introduced to me at a very young age to protect and prevent spirits from latching on to us children,” says Allan. That connection to his culture …

For Violet, family is the most important thing in life. “Culture is a way of living, and our way of living was communal and all about family,” says Violet.  “Our mother taught us to respect and take care of one another.” Violet George belongs to the Tzeachten First Nation but has lived on the Skwah First Nation since 1972. Her …