Description
Lisa Lewis, also known by her ancestral name Xwemilut, is a dedicated Salish weaver and author from the Squamish (Skwxwu7mesh) Nation. With a profound connection to her cultural heritage, Lisa has apprenticed under master weavers Chief Janice George (Chepximiya siyam) and her husband Willard Joseph (Skwetsimltexw) for fourteen years. Her artistic journey extends beyond the physical act of weaving, encompassing the learning of songs and protocols intricately tied to the rich tapestry of Salish artistry. Through weaving and storytelling, she bridges the past with the present, ensuring that the sacred teachings of her people endure for generations to come. Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee belongs to S?wx?wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). She is a decolonial creative & educator living and working in her ancestral homelands on the shared territory of the x?m??k??y??m (Musqueam), S?wx?wú7mesh (Squamish), and s?lilw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples also known as the City of Vancouver. Ta7talíya works within the intersection of class, culture and creativity, applying the skills of communication design to social change. She is the author, illustrator and designer of decolonial workbooks, board games, workshops and a children's book. Ta7talíya?s collaborations have influenced opinions, changed behaviours and mobilized community action. Her approach earned her the 2019 City of Vancouver Award of Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. She is a 2024 Dialogue Associate with the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University where she is also working towards a PhD in Languages, Cultures and Literacies within the Faculty of Education.
Tsunaxen sets off on a relaxing canoe ride and has an adventure instead! In a Coast Salish village, beautifully described with bright illustrations, lives young Tsunaxen who knows to practice his cultural teachings by giving thanks and trusting in the Creator, no matter what he encounters.