Hello, I have been hired as a proposal writer for the Nawalakw Healing Society as of July 1, 2020

I am a member of the gig̱a̱lgam namima of the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation and my traditional name is Sebekola. My background is quite extensive in First Nations Government serving as Executive Director of the Musgamakw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council for 12 years as well as Band Manager for the Da̱’naxda’x̱w First nation for 10 years.

I graduated from Alert Bay Elementary Senior Secondary High School many years ago and from there I went on to be a logger, fisherman, construction worker, carpenter, shipwright and truck driver then returned to school at the University of Victoria to get my Certificate in Administration of Aboriginal Governments.

My main interest of recreation lies with my coaching/elder position with the Native Indian Football Association and our very successful touring of the world for the love of the “beautiful game” resulting in two World Indigenous Games gold medals and the title of “Indigenous World Champions”.

Melissa Marsh is of settler origin and grew up in a farming community in rural Saskatchewan, about the size of Yalis, located in Treaty 6 territory.  She strives to support others to discover their worth and to use that understanding to add to their world.  She believes in the power of education to support this understanding of self, as well as of the world around us, and of each other.  She holds a Master of Education Degree and a diploma in Business Administration.  She is the former Vice-Principal of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw School in Port Hardy and a former Program Coordinator for the FIA Adventure School in Japan.  In addition to managing day to day operations of a school, a classroom and personalized education programs, she has experience with managing budgets, securing funding for special projects, building trusting relationships, working on society boards and facilitating workshops.  

Since leaving Port Hardy to live closer to her mom and the rest of her family in the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people, Melissa is taking a break from teaching and finding new challenges in learning about language preservation, data ownership, and how to support Indigenous communities to build capacity in this area.  Melissa supports the work of Nawalakw’s various programs by searching for appropriately aligned and allied funding opportunities to advance the mission of reconciling the Kwakwaka’wakw people back to origin, culture, and land.   When not working, Melissa likes to be in nature, on the water or in the forest, enjoys singing and playing piano, and daydreaming over a good cup of coffee.

Ikawegi’lakw (Deanna Nicolson, nee Barnes) is our Language Program Director at Nawalakw.  Her paternal roots are from Scotland, Fort Rupert and Alert Bay (Barnes, Hunt and Cook families) and her maternal roots are from Village Island, Alert Bay and Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw territories (Beans, Alfred, Dawson and Coon families).  She was born in Vancouver and grew up in Alert Bay, moving away to pursue post-secondary education in Victoria, BC.  She earned business degrees and a master’s degree of education with a specialization in Indigenous language revitalization from the University of Victoria.  Ikawegi’lakw has worked professionally in the fields of business, education and language revitalization, serving numerous member-bands, Indigenous schools and organizations, creating curriculum resources and coordinating language classes.  She lives with her husband Gwi’molas and four sons: Ha’malagalis, Tsaxw’id, ‘Malas and K’esugwi’lakw and has a very happy heart to be here at Nawalakw.

Gilakas’la

ikawegi’lakw (Maker of Good Things)

DOROTHY “PEWI” ALFRED is 45 years old from the ʼNa̱mg̱is First Nation from Nimpkish Valley and Alert Bay. Her traditional name is Ḵaminawadzi “Great Throwing Power”. She is renowned for her singing and dancing abilities amongst the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw. She has been bestowed with many names, dances and songs on various sides of her noble ancestry. Her father Wayne Alfred and brother Marcus Alfred are master carvers and renowned traditional dancers, from the ʼNa̱mg̱is tribe. Her mother is Brenda nee Smith from the noble Smith and Speck families of Ławit̕sis First Nation- Turnour Island. Pewi has been initiated into one of the highest dance orders called Hiligax̱ʼste’, the female attendant of the most sacred Hamat̕sa Society.

Pewi is one of the driving forces at teaching and passing down of dances, songs, and kwak̓wala language to the next generations at the village of Alert Bay. She is also an accomplished artist and the
proud Mother of her 19 year old son Michael Johnathan Wayne Moon
Jr.

G̱ilakasda’x̱w’la

Yo! Nugwa’a̱m K̓wak̓wabalas. Gayutła̱n lax̱a Kwagu’ł dłu’ ławit̓sis is dłu’ Ma’a̱mtagila. Gayutła̱n lax̱ ‘Ya̱lis. Ḵ̓aḵutł̓aṉ laxa̱ University of Vancouver Island lax Snuneymuxw.

Hello! My traditional name is K’wak’wabalas. I am from the Kwagu’l, ławit̓sis, and Ma’a̱mtagila tribes of the Kwakwaka̱’wa̱kw. I am from Alert Bay. I am going to learn at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. My English name is Gloria Hunt. I am one of the five Language Apprentices that are developing and delivering language curriculum as part of the Nawalakw Culture Project. I am currently in my fifth and final year of the Bachelor of Education program and will be graduating in June of 2021. I have been fortunate to grow up in Alert Bay where I was fully surrounded by our culture, language, and traditions in almost every aspect of my everyday life. I was a part of the T̓sasała Cultural Group which helped me in learning our songs, dances, and teachings around our ceremonies. I also attended T̓łisa̱lagi’lakw School from Nursery to Grade 7 where I was able to be even more fully surrounded by our culture, traditions, and language everyday and is where I really developed a passion for keeping these important aspects of who we are alive for future generations. I was a part of the Kwak̓wala Public Speaking Club while attending T̓łisa̱lagi’lakw School also where I was able to build on my knowledge of our language and learn how to become comfortable speaking it out loud in front of a group of people. I also picked up the love I have for weaving at a very young age while I was attending T̓łisa̱lagi’lakw School and I have continued to learn as much as I can, which now includes Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving which I began learning in 2016. Within the past 6 years, I have been able to continue passing on my knowledge of weaving to people of all ages, from 4 years old to 80 years old, during weaving workshops I have facilitated at Elementary Schools, Highschools, Universities, community events, and to my own family members while preparing for potlatches and feasts. I am excited to be continuing on my language learning journey and living and breathing my passion for language revitalization and keeping our culture and teachings alive with the Nawalakw Culture Project. Olak̓ala̱n mu’la! I am really grateful!
G̱ilakas’la!

Gayaxalasame (Darryll Dawson) is a proud member of the Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw First Nation of Kingcome Inlet. Growing up in Kingcome, Darryll was exposed to hearing his Native language spoken while living with and being around his grandparents Oy and Beverly Lagis. As a young boy Darryll took interest in his culture learning how to dance from his grandfather Thompson (Oy) Lagis at the age of 4.

Darryll’s interest in culture sparked a lifelong learning journey into exploring what it is to be a descendent and member of the Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw Nation. Gayaxalasame takes great pride in knowing and understanding songs, dances, and ceremonies, as well as learning the history of the Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw Nation. He is recognized as a singer and dancer, attending Potlatches and Feasts within the Kwakwaka’wakw Nations. Darryll is also a Native artist, learning from Kwakwaka’wakw artist, Victor Newman, when he was a student at Victoria High School.  In 2010, he continued his learning journey under the guidance of Kwakwaka’wakw artist and Hereditary Chief Rande Cook, followed by an apprenticeship with Master Carver John Livingston.

Throughout adulthood Darryll has taught what he has learned to the next generation and to anyone willing to learn. He started as a substitute cultural teacher at the Lilawagila school in Kingcome, eventually becoming a full-time teacher at the school where he taught classes in art, singing and dancing. He makes sure to pass on history lessons on the Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw Nation to his students and anyone else who has an interest in learning.

Darryll was fortunate to learn from and be inspired by many knowledgeable cultural leaders, including Mike Willie and William Wasden, who taught him many traditional songs, legends and shared their vast cultural knowledge.   Several other great influences on Darryll include Kodi Nelson, Wayne Alfred and Marcus Alfred who shared singing, dancing and cultural knowledge with Gayaxalasame.  Darryll had many other connections to learning his history, from elders to knowledge keepers within the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation.

Growing up in Kingcome enhanced a passion for soccer and it became a huge part of my life. I have traveled all over the world to play soccer. I played for the Canadian NIFA Women’s soccer team and we won gold in the First World Indigenous Games located in Brazil in the year 2015. We won gold again in Alberta in the Second World Indigenous Games year 2017.

I completed the Canadian Outdoor Leadership Program Spring of 2021. We did canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, rock climbing, swift water rescuing, and  wilderness first aid. I started working with Nawalakw Healing Society as soon as I finished the program. I had the privilege of being a part of their Culture project as an Outdoor-Ed guide during the summer and fall with our youth and elders. I gained relationships and special bonds with our youth and elders that came out to the culture camps in Hada (Bond Sound). The work we are doing out there is absolutely amazing, and so rewarding. I strongly believe that connecting to the land is healing for our people. I enjoy participating with our youth, elders and staff in healing, learning and growing as a people. Since working in Hada as an Outdoor-Ed guide, a passion for learning our language, history, songs, and dances started growing more and more every day spent out there.

I am now a language apprentice for the Nawalakw Healing Society. My language and cultural goals are to become a part of helping our language and culture survive in all aspects. Whatever knowledge I gain, I will pass onto another.

Maya’x ̱al ̱an ̱x ̱an i’a ̱xale dłu’wida g ̱anganan ̱am dłu ḵ̕w ̱alsḵ̕w ̱al’yakw.

Olak̕al ̱an mu’la’!

I love working with children and elders and I am really grateful!

Having lived and worked in British Columbia for close to 28 years, Markus created and implemented strategic business plans for boutique hotels and resorts and was involved in the development of new properties, hotel expansions and business turn-arounds. Markus re-positioned and expanded a family-run enterprise to establish it as an award-winning five-star resort and RevPAR leader; the business was the recipient of the “Best Resort in North America” award by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’s Gold List and “Best Hotel in North America” award by Travel & Leisure Magazine. He conceptualized and opened a waterfront boutique hotel on Vancouver Island, including meeting, spa & fitness, food & beverage facilities, an art gallery and marine discovery centre. Previous consulting work includes a business turn-around plan to transform a fishing property into a leading eco-tourism lodge in Belize. Most recently, Markus opened and managed a $250 million, 600,000 square foot open-air regional shopping centre over a six-year period, recognized by the International Council of Shopping Centres with the Maple Leaf Gold and Silver awards. Markus served as Vice Chair of Tourism Victoria for four years (chairing the Finance Committee), Strata Chair of a mixed-use development, as well as founding board member of the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre (chairing the Marketing Committee).Industry association memberships include International Council of Shopping Centres, Building Owners and Managers Association, BC Shopping Center Association, Urban Land Institute BC.

Nugwa’am Nax’Na’gam. My name is Rising of the Dawn. My colonial name is Tamara Alfred. I am the great great granddaughter of late Chief Johnny Scow, Great Granddaughter of Hereditary Chief Willam D. Scow – Umbu, and Granddaughter of late Hereditary Chief Vincent Henry Scow, and mother of young Hereditary Chief Anthony Alfred of the Kwikwasutainukw people. I am a Nelson and Johnson on my Grandmother Caroline Scow’s side. Her mother was Annie Nelson (nee Johnson – great cedar bark weaver), and her father Roy Nelson. I am a proud and strong Musgamagw woman. 

I am the mother of two beautiful children. My Son, Anthony Alfred Jr. is 15 years old and loves school and music. My Daughter is 13 years old, loves boxing and is very outgoing. My husband is Tony Alfred. He’s my best friend, and the love of my life. We’ve been together for 20 years, it’s been a beautiful journey with him by my side. We have a wolf/husky and her name is Ginger, she’s getting up there in age now, but so loving. Also, we have a black cat – Church (He’s a funny little guy).

In my younger years, I was brought up in our traditional and cultural ways. I am a traditional singer and a dancer. When I sing, I feel power. When I dance, I feel light – like I’m floating, and there is good energy around me. I was taught to see the good in people and things, and I have done my best to do so.

I have worked with youth in various roles for the majority of my career.  

I sit on the board of directors for the Indigenous Justice of BC, and the Restorative Justice of BC. Our people, especially our youth, need support in many areas. Bringing back our traditional ways of healing, our ways of supporting one another, making connections with our own – and most importantly, transferring knowledge from our knowledge keepers –  these are all so important.

The time is now to be proud of our ancestral heritage and to learn the ways of our ancestors. Taking the first step with the support of our loved ones will get us all there.

Bio coming soon!

BIO COMING SOON

BIO COMING SOON