Meet Our Elders

Elders Circle
Meet Our Elders

The Importance of Elders.

MVOM recognizes that without the strength and resiliency of Elders we would not be here today.

As a network, we believe Elders and Knowledge Keepers play a prominent, vital and respected role in Indigenous communities. MVOM is building individual and community identity through our resources, trainings, and shared knowledge. Elders are the foundation of keeping the Indigenous traditions, languages and cultures alive.

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MVOM Elders

Meet the Many Voices, One Mind Elders. Click on their photos to get to know more about them including their backgrounds, hobbies and wise words of wisdom.

Eugene Harry

Traditional Name: Xi Quelem

Birth Place: Duncan, BC. (Eugene came into the world feet-first, weighing 2 lbs 14 oz.)

Indigenous Community: born Cowichan, raised Malahata

Residential School Attended: Kuper Island Residential School

Family: Married with 7 children, 15 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren

Memorable Childhood Experience: Grandfather speaking to crows, a pet deer, and a pet seal.

Hobbies: Paddling, knitting, beading, needlepoint, weaving

Words of Wisdom:
"Spirituality and Ceremony need to be brought back."

"Celebration of Life should be when a child is born, not when a person passes away."

Janet Crockford

Birth Place: Port Haney, BC.

Indigenous Community: Katzie #2, Walnut Grove, BC

Family: Married with 2 children

Memorable Childhood Experience: Being on fishing boat with parents; opening Christmas stocking to find Japanese oranges and candy

Hobbies: Salish & Cedar Weaving, beading, Dream Catchers, gardening

Words of Wisdom:
"I see the future, that there is no more anger about the past. That we can exist anywhere on the land that isn't called an Indian Reserve. That we learned to live in both worlds with ease."

Yvonne Tumangday

Traditional Name: Kaxte'

Birth Place: Mission, BC

Indigenous Community: Skowkale

Family: Married with 3 children and 8 grandchildren

Memorable Childhood Experience: "When I was a little girl my dad would come home and give me his hard hat and I would smell it. I would embrace his work. My dad would save food from his lunch kit; even though he was going to work, he would think of us."

Hobbies: Gathering and learning about herbal medicines, watching canoe races, gatherings, my family, big drum pow wow, camping, knitting, crochet, sewing

Words of Wisdom:
"Know that our Elders used to say that the best thing we can do is sit down and share a meal. We used to have time for that, but it's different now. The world is going too fast."

Maureen Kelly

Birth Place: Lytton, BC

Indigenous Community: Sumas First Nation

Family: Married with 5 children, 8 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren

Memorable Childhood Experiences: Green grass (sunny day) at Coquleetza Hospital, the smell of crayons at school, cutting out the rooster on Cornflakes box (this was fought over)

Hobbies: Making cards, playing computer games, puzzles, canning preserves

Wisdom for Future Generations:
"Make sure to recycle. Earth is getting destroyed by mankind. There is too much junk (plastic) on shelves just to make a buck."

"Go to school, get educated, go as far as you can. Anything is possible if you want it bad enough."

"Love yourself and be good to yourself."

"Water is better than pop. Years ago, I never ever thought we'd be paying for water, but here we are."

"Never ever start smoking. It is so bad for your health."

Vange Point

Traditional Name: Xoyetlha (hi-claw)

Birth Place: Mission, BC.

Indigenous Community: Sts'ailes

Family: Married with 2 living children, 2 children who are no longer with us, and 7 grandchildren

Memorable Childhood Experience: "My dad always told me I had a gift. I would sit down and draw. I would draw things. When I went to Agassiz high school (had to transfer from community school), during art time, the art teacher was amazed by my drawing. That was my most keen subject in school. By the time I got to grade 10, my art teacher decided to give me a scholarship to go to the Pentiction art school during the summer. My family dropped me off there. I had to sleep in a dorm; we had our own spaces. It was like going to school. We would get up in the morning and go down to the school. I was alone, so far away from home, and my parents were so proud. They would pack up my siblings to come visit every weekend. The hardest part was Sunday when they left. "

Hobbies: "I crochet, bead, do Salish weaving, inner cedar bark work, traditional medicines, sew (hand and machine), make traditional foods, and draw."

Words of Wisdom:
"You always have to carry yourself in a good way. In class, I expect the students to be alert and that they are there are learn."

"Take pride in your culture."

"The late Chief Dan George sang the song of our people to teach how to earn your feather. Education is a ladder. When you come to school, you can’t go straight to the top. Each step, we are teaching you. There are three rungs: We teach, We learn, We grow (to earn your feather). Build yourself another ladder to get the education for the job you want”.

“Who do you think is our future generation? You!”

Mike Joe

Traditional Name: Alt'us

Birth Place: Agassiz, BC

Indigenous Community: Seabird Island Band

Family: Married with 2 living children, 1 child no longer with us, and 6 grandchildren

Memorable Childhood Experience: First Fall fair

Hobbies: Gardening

Words of Wisdom: "Listen to your heart; make decisions from your heart."

Sunni Alice Hill

Traditional Name: WathLaLgeedus - "Woman of the Potlatch"

Birth Place: Prince Rupert, BC

Indigenous Community: Old Masset, Haida Gwaii

Family: Married with 15 children (including stepchildren), 25 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 6 siblings

Memorable Childhood Experience: "My uncles had a boat house where they built seine boats. When they finished a boat, everyone gathered at the dock and the seine boat would be christened. Everyone cheered and had a big dinner after the christening. There was the "Miss Babs", "Haida Warrior", and the "Jan White" to name a few.

Wisdom for Future Generations: "Always be teachable, never stop learning. Learn our recent Indigenous history. This way you may understand why too many of our young ones were parented the way they were parented. It will help you to understand so you can forgive everyone who has hurt you. It was so different before the colonizers came. We KNEW our children were gifts from Creator and in our way (Haida) the daughters were taught by their aunties and the sons were taught by their uncles...how to use their hands and how to be in this world. The grandparents taught the values: humility; honesty; respect; courage; truth; wisdom. When you learn these values then you learn to Love yourself and others in a healthy and good way. Our parents role was to feed, clothe, and love us."

"YOU ARE PRECIOUS & YOU MATTER. We ask you to forgive us and DO better than most of us did. We are sorry. We did the best we could with what we had. The world is changing quickly and we MUST become strong once again, strong in our hearts, minds, physically, and wake up spiritually. So back then, our children felt loved, safe, respected and were happy. Let's become a healthy and caring community again. KNOW that as we heal and learn to be self sufficient, we, Indigenous Peoples ARE a/the solution in todays world. You are loved ALWAYS."

Vera Jones

Traditional Name: Ksimgitangiik (Woman who lives by the water)

Birth Place: Cassiar Cannery, BC (fishing camp)

Indigenous Community: Aiyansh

Family: Widowed with 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 3 siblings

School: Residential School in Lytton and 2 years at Albert Bay Residential School. Went from ages 5-19 years old. Did not learn anything helpful while attending so it was very scary after leaving.

Memorable Childhood Experience: "Going home in the summer time."

Hobbies: Crafting (Indigenous dolls)

Words of Wisdom:

"As an IRS Survivor, I've learned to overcome any barriers through the support of First Nation's organizations. Attending AA was my first step in recovery. I realized that drinking wasn't the answer to a better life. I not only came to realize that drinking was not the answer, but I was learning social skills. I was aware that I hadn't learned anything at the Residential School but didn't know how to go about changing it. There was a lot I learned on my own. Staying sober was the key to changing my life."

"Praying to thank Creator is my daily must go-to now."

Cheryl Forrest-Havens

Birth Place: Six Nations of the Grand River - Ontario

Indigenous Community: Haudenasaunee - Mohawk Nation

Family: Widowed with 2 children, and 2 grandchildren

"My 2 sons are my pride and joy! My grandchildren are my sunshine! My brothers & sisters are keeping our family unit strong."

Memorable Childhood Experiences: "Spending time with my grandma & aunties working on the farm. Loved gardening, cooking, and just being with them in the woods gathering, collecting herbs, and firewood. I never felt it was work; only being with them was so special."

Work: "I love the work that I do. My hope is to inspire others to help shape the future leaders. I have been honoured to work with and continue to share my heart and knowledge working with children 3-12 years of age. They still continue to be my teachers."

Words of Wisdom:

"Cherish time with family and your Elders. Listen to their stories. They will shape who you will become."

"Start each day with an attitude of gratitude. In all you do...do it with a good heart and a good mind."

"Always choose Love - Respect & Gratitude. Walk your Walk with a Pace of Grace. Enjoy each day with a smile on your face. Never lose hope. Love yourself first and it naturally goes to those around you."