DENISE FINDLAY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate / ELDER ENDORSED SQUAMISH LANGUAGE TEACHER
Aaron Williams, Is a Direct Decendent to the Villiges of the Ch'iyáḵmesh (Cheekeye) and Yeḵw'ápsem (North Yards) And was raised In the Village of Slha7án̓ of the Sḵwx̱wu7meshúlh (Squamish People), who has dedicated 6 out of the last 14 years to travelling throughout British Columbia's Coast Salish Lands learning and training exclusively with Local and neighboring communities elder speakers, on how to be a speaker in our Long Houses and within our Community Cultural processes focussed on Namings, Marriages, Memorials, Funerals, and other Cultural related works. Aaron's work is strongly focussed on Squamish Language and Squamish History. Aaron has been working in the revitalizational use of Squamish Language by Squamish People for the last 8 years in various roles in the multiple Squamish Nation Comminuties and as a Elder Endorsed Squamish language teacher in various circles within our Squamish Nation Communities providing language Immersion initiatives with children and youth and Adults. Aaron is responsible for carrying a gift of Squamish Language from his Late Grandmother, who raised him with the Squamish language at her home in Slha7án from 1984-to-1997. While during time she spoke in the Squamish language with Aaron in many different places like at her home and other elder's houses and at the St' Paul's Church, helping to developing his core beliefs and thinking of them in Squamish language.
Aaron, has many gifts one of them is thinking in Squamish Language which is a rarity in this day and age, also in his arsonal of tools is oral legand telling and the telling of family history orally, Aaron is also a Singer of Squamish traditional songs.
Aaron is currently undertaking a MD In Linguistics of Language and Arts at Simon Fraser University. Aaron's research focus is on intersecting Language use in Squamish Communities and other close by Communities seeking out historical cognitions between close by Languages in the Salishan Langauge tree. Aaron also brings effective knowledge of a Squamish Centric view with traditions of cultural land based knowledge of Old Squamish Village sites, Place name sites and Land Marker sites, spanning within the traditional lands of the Squamish People. Aaron longs to change the status quo and effect the sustainable change in the frequency of Squamish Language use by Squamish people.
Aaron has spent countless hours training in 1-1 processes with his mentors concerning language and cultural reinsergents in social issues rooted in intergenerational trauma to help heal from colonization. Aaron holds a Squamish language and Cultural Diploma from Capilano U and a Provincial Instructors Diploma from Vancouver Community Collage and a Language Proficiency Diploma From Simon Freser University, Aaron is elder Endorsed by past Squamish Elders and Current Elders who believe in the work he does with the Squamish language and Squamish History. Aaron's primary fucus is on carrying the message to the learner, who is actively seeking to learn, and the message is "we are never to late to start learning" he specializes in teaching Squamish language to Adult learners, Aaron believes that learning to speak and converse in a language that one might belong to, brings historical healing to historical tramas. Aaron is a trained and Community Certified Culture and Spiritual and Public Speaker he is also a trained Singer of traditional Squamish Songs and other Coast Salish Songs and he has a deep rooted love for linguistics and is a up-and-coming linguist.
Aaron has vast range of people who have helped him to be who he is in our community, the list is outside the scope of this bio, to be thankful to and he shows his gratitude by returning day in and day out, year after year helping and supporting families within our Coast Salish lands. All the best, Aaron Williams.
Contact Aaron for…
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Accredited Addiction Counselor
Angie Brinoni is an Accredited Addiction counselor and Gathering Our Medicine Facilitator. Angie has multiple certifications in trauma-informed care, ECE certification, Addictions and Community Services, Indigenous studies, Pharmacology, Addictions Care and Treatment. Angie works with communities across BC and Canada as an Indigenous Engagement and Programming Consultant dedicated to supporting wise and best practices and Indigenous methodologies to improve programs and services.
Angie has been married 30 years to a Métis/Cree man. She is the mother and grandmother of bicultural children, biological and gifted from the creator to join their family and kinship circle.
Angie has worked with families and youth in holistic healing centers and supported the development of respectful, culturally safe programming. Angie has worked extensively with all community and government levels to support systemic change by including Indigenous pedagogy in policy and program development. Angie is committed to supporting programs that focus on inclusion, respectful cultural safety and humility in all services across Canada. Angie is dedicated to creating a shared path forward of systemic change for her children, grandchildren, and all First Nations and Aboriginal Peoples.
Dory is a doula as well as a trained Kairos Canada facilitator, appreciating the profound healing that unfolds within the blanketing ceremony.
Job Titles:
- Associate / ELDER ENDORSED SQUAMISH LANGUAGE TEACHER
Aaron Williams, Is a Direct Decendent to the Villiges of the Ch'iyáḵmesh (Cheekeye) and Yeḵw'ápsem (North Yards) And was raised In the Village of Slha7án̓ of the Sḵwx̱wu7meshúlh (Squamish People), who has dedicated 6 out of the last 14 years to travelling throughout British Columbia's Coast Salish Lands learning and training exclusively with Local and neighboring communities elder speakers, on how to be a speaker in our Long Houses and within our Community Cultural processes focussed on Namings, Marriages, Memorials, Funerals, and other Cultural related works. Aaron's work is strongly focussed on Squamish Language and Squamish History. Aaron has been working in the revitalizational use of Squamish Language by Squamish People for the last 8 years in various roles in the multiple Squamish Nation Comminuties and as a Elder Endorsed Squamish language teacher in various circles within our Squamish Nation Communities providing language Immersion initiatives with children and youth and Adults. Aaron is responsible for carrying a gift of Squamish Language from his Late Grandmother, who raised him with the Squamish language at her home in Slha7án from 1984-to-1997. While during time she spoke in the Squamish language with Aaron in many different places like at her home and other elder's houses and at the St' Paul's Church, helping to developing his core beliefs and thinking of them in Squamish language.
Aaron, has many gifts one of them is thinking in Squamish Language which is a rarity in this day and age, also in his arsonal of tools is oral legand telling and the telling of family history orally, Aaron is also a Singer of Squamish traditional songs.
Aaron is currently undertaking a MD In Linguistics of Language and Arts at Simon Fraser University. Aaron's research focus is on intersecting Language use in Squamish Communities and other close by Communities seeking out historical cognitions between close by Languages in the Salishan Langauge tree. Aaron also brings effective knowledge of a Squamish Centric view with traditions of cultural land based knowledge of Old Squamish Village sites, Place name sites and Land Marker sites, spanning within the traditional lands of the Squamish People. Aaron longs to change the status quo and effect the sustainable change in the frequency of Squamish Language use by Squamish people.
Aaron has spent countless hours training in 1-1 processes with his mentors concerning language and cultural reinsergents in social issues rooted in intergenerational trauma to help heal from colonization. Aaron holds a Squamish language and Cultural Diploma from Capilano U and a Provincial Instructors Diploma from Vancouver Community Collage and a Language Proficiency Diploma From Simon Freser University, Aaron is elder Endorsed by past Squamish Elders and Current Elders who believe in the work he does with the Squamish language and Squamish History. Aaron's primary fucus is on carrying the message to the learner, who is actively seeking to learn, and the message is "we are never to late to start learning" he specializes in teaching Squamish language to Adult learners, Aaron believes that learning to speak and converse in a language that one might belong to, brings historical healing to historical tramas. Aaron is a trained and Community Certified Culture and Spiritual and Public Speaker he is also a trained Singer of traditional Squamish Songs and other Coast Salish Songs and he has a deep rooted love for linguistics and is a up-and-coming linguist.
Jackie Gonzales is Sk wx wú7mech/Musqueam from the Village of Eslh7an.
Jackie is a matriarch who is a leader in cultural revitalization for her community, in particular with youth and families.
Jackie leads from her lived experience of ceremonial, longhouse, and family connections, and is an integral part of Gathering Our Medicine program as a facilitator.
Marla Klyne Kolomaya's worldview as a Métis person is rooted in her relationships as a wife, daughter, auntie, sister, and friend. This orientation is further informed by her deep ancestral roots within Treaty 2 & Treaty 5 territories (Manitoba) as well as her abiding passion for supporting families and community. With a background in community counseling and supporting youth as a counselor within the education system, along with thirty years of ranching on the land alongside her husband, Marla is guided in her approach by a deep respect for the healing potential that can unfold when we are nurtured within relationships. Marla is rooted in a cultural and relational understanding of the nature of humanity, along with an insightful, scientific lens that centres the roles of emotion and attachment within our unfolding (G. Neufeld https://neufeldinstitute.org/about-us/our-approach/). Marla works with families, clinicians, and educators with a compassionate approach while sharing insights (wherever we have become stuck) into the places humans are most naturally positioned to heal where there have previously been experiences of tremendous wounding.
Marla has experienced sitting with many beautiful and heartfelt humans in circle as part of her work throughout the provinces of Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario; observing that when the cultural ways of families and community are centered, people tend to have much more in common than not. Where generational togetherness is missing, stories of suffering are prevalent. Where togetherness is deeply felt - healing, playfulness, and profound, psychological rest are observed. Rooted in the understanding that relationships and cultural connectedness are powerful medicine, Marla is honoured to support families and professionals in the ongoing restoration of these ancient ways of knowing and being.
Shanelle Bath is a nehiyaw iskwew (Cree woman) of mixed ancestry from Treaty 6 & 8 Territory and also English and Norwegian settler ancestors. Her Kokum (grandmother) and mother are from Wapsewsipi, Swan River First Nation in Alberta. Her late Moshum (grandfather) was raised speaking Cree fluently, and living on the land in Alberta and is connected to Papaschase Cree Nation and also has Métis ancestry.
Shanelle was born and raised on Coast Salish territory and has a large family with kinship ties to many First Nations communities in BC. She is an Auntie and mother to french bulldogs. She is currently in her 4th year at the University of Victoria completing a bachelor of arts in Child and Youth Care (CYC). Shanelle has worked with youth since 2014 and spent the last 5 years working in support of youth with complex challenges at the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre in the role of Indigenous Cultural Coordinator.