Ktunaxa Voices
Please note: These are just a few Ktunaxa Voices, as a place to start your own research and learning.
![Folini, F. (2012) jumping coyote CC BY-SA 2.0 [image] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coyote_(Canis_latrans)_(7147080735).jpg <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/D-u8xKao9R0AygGIO4g10x72EaMgNVsKE27zEwW8Kcd58sCMrpKLKMiOpmcTiEJO8-IAs1cyuIfDv7h6aNdXF5Xe3G1WoltPrTy2raBqo_mBJddHBszSXcuaucWXt6JmbQ=w1280)
Folini, F. (2012) jumping coyote
Learning involves generational roles and responsibilities. (FNESC, nd.)
"Teaching and learning are the responsibility of all members of any community. As people develop their skills and knowledge in a particular areas, it is expected that they will, in turn, teach others. This responsibility ultimately strengthens communities." (Chrona, 2022, p141) As you can see from the diverse Ktunaxa voices below, a wide variety of people in the Ktunaxa Nation are teaching others and sharing their understandings with their Nation and the world. By supporting Ktunaxa people, promoting their voices and building reciprocal relationships we can work towards allyship, and eventually accomplice-ship on the long journey towards "True Reconciliation". (Raybould-Wilson, 2022)
Ktunaxa Nation Website ktunaxa.org
You can also follow the Ktuanxa Nation on Facebook.
You can follow their efforts in the Bringing the Salmo Home: Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative.
Dr. Christopher Horsethief, Ph.D.
image (2021) used with permission https://www.christopherhorsethief.com/
Ktunaxa Professor, scholar, musician, leader Dr. Christopher Horsethief has myriad of educational videos, teachings and deep wisdom which exemplifies "Two Eyed Seeing", bringing scientific/academic knowledge, alongside Ktunaxa ways of knowing and doing.
His xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ research project is an exemplar of best practices for collaboration between settlers and Ktunaxa people. Xaȼqanaǂ ʔitkiniǂ means “many ways of working on the same thing”, meaning we can work on shared problems from many different perspectives including Ktunaxa and settler ways of knowing, being, and doing. Follow Dr. Horsethief below!
Alfred Joseph
image (Joseph, 2024) used with permission
Ktunaxa Language Teacher
Alfred Joseph is a Ktunaxa language and cultural teacher and knowledge holder. He has always been an outdoors person and a horseman who is always willing to share the Life knowledge he has acquired. He is also the author of a new book called "Ktunaxa Nature Walk: Alfred Joseh's Walkabout" .
Alfred and Mara partnered with CBEEN to offer Ktunaxa Language courses to community members and educators this past year. Keep your eyes on the CBEEN website for future Ktunaxa and other Indigenous language learning opportunities!
Read an article about their Language Revitalization efforts.
Gilhuly, PJ. (2021) Raven Haven. Nelson International Mural Festival. [website] https://streetartcities.com/cities/nelson-ca/markers/35801
PJ Gilhuly is a local Ktunaxa artist and muralist. She has several public murals in Nelson, BC. (See link website above) Dr. Christopher Horsethief created a "Ktunaxa Voice Video" of her. Follow PJ Gilhuly on Facebook and Instagram to see regular post of her unique artwork.
Nasookin Jason Louie
[Above: A short documentary, kwist̓aǂanmiyit: seven days with the chief. about the leadership of Yakan Nukiy Chief/Nasookin Jason Louie, by Jason Louie and Christopher Horsethief. (2019)]
Nasookin Jason Louie has been Chief of the Yakan Nukiy band since 2010. He is a former military reservist, educator and language instructor at the Yakan Nukiy band school. Under his guidance the Yakan Nukiy purchased Ainsworth Hotsprings, built a new school and a roundhouse. He received the BC Achievement Community Award in 2013 for his leadership.
Read an article in the Nelson Star about Nasookin Jason Louie.
Mara Nelson
image (Nelson, 2024) used with permission
Mara Nelson, is an educator and Traditional Knowledge and Language Support person for the Ktunaxa Nation Council, focusing on language revitalization. See some of her work here: https://ktunaxahakqyit.org/ktunaxa-language-resources
She and Alfred Joseph partnered with CBEEN to offer Ktunaxa Language courses to community members and educators this past year. Keep your eyes on the CBEEN website for future Ktunaxa and other Indigenous language learning opportunities!
Read an article about their Language Revitalization efforts.
Luke, Chris. (Jun 28, 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvdJBx3Ss5E
Luke, Cecelia. (Jun 28, 2018)
https://youtu.be/Kw4rVcwnn0o?si=zJXwgrsKutBjpn6D
Chris Luke
SD8 Created videos called "Honoring our Elders". One is about Chris Luke, a Ktunaxa Elder and former Nasookin (Chief) of the Yakan Nukiy (Lower Kootenay) band for over 20 years.
Chris also wrote the book "Drags Grizzly" about his early life leading up to being elected Chief of the Yakan Nukiy band, a position he held for over 22 years. He is also author of the recently book Yakan Nukiy Their History, Culture and Traditions.(2018) (recently purchased at Ainsworth Hotsprings)
Cecelia Luke
SD8 Created videos called "Honoring our Elders". One is about Cecelia Luke, an Elder from the Yaqan Nukiy (Ktunaxa Nation) and Secwepemc Nation. She offers advice which can be applied to allies, such as if you have questions, "find someone and ask", "look for role models". She also offers some deep reflections such as when we talk about "Truth & Reconciliation", whose "truth" are we talking about, acknowledging there are many truths, and what are the levels of reconciliation? Who is in control?
Rose, L.(2023) q̓apkiǂ cover [image] https://www.bchistory.ca/resources/Pictures/Ktunaxa%20book.jpg
Lillian Rose
Ktunaxa Traditional Knowledge and Language Coordinator, helped develop the new book q̓apkiǂ, which means means "to tell someone everything." above. It is a celebration of Ktunaxa language, history and culture highlighting Ktunaxa voices throughout the territory. Rose also narrates the video below for Canada's National Parks, explaining the Ktunaxa People's connection to the land.
Lillian Rose is also a basket-maker and artist. Her artwork depicting the loss of the buffalo and the salmon, and Ktunaxa connection to the land, is featured in murals in Banff as part of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies "Stories of this Place" - Indigenous public art exhibit.
Parks Canada (2022) Our Land, Our Story, Our Words - Ktunaxa Nation [video] YouTube.
Smokii Sumac
(image (nd.) with permission by Sweetmoon photography)
Smokii Sumac is a Ktunaxa two spirit poet and PhD candidate in Indigenous Studies. He has a website, with numerous videos and an ongoing ʔasqanaki podcast. You can hear Smokii speak through this link to the Nelson Museum & Archives "New Echos" Project.
See Smokii Sumac's Website: https://www.smokiisumac.com/ and follow him on instagram and facebook!
Sumac, S. (2023) New Echoes in the Staircase. [video] The Nelson Museum https://vimeo.com/837627729
Aiyanna Twigg
image (Twigg, 2022) used with permission
Twigg is a Ktunaxa Language Apprentice and Program Assistant for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, who defines herself as an "activist exploring decolonization and language revitalization." (2024, Ktuanxa Pride, Instagram). Twigg is using social media to promote language learning, and regularly posts Ktunaxa phrases and "words of the day". She is an inspiring role model and is creating accessible, engaging resources to share with students.
My July 2022 Blog Post about Aiyanna Twigg
Follow Aiyanna @ Ktunaxa Pride On Instagram and Facebook.
Nasuʔkin Joe Pierre, Ktunaxa Chief of the ʔaq̓am Community tells the Ktunaxa creation story
JCI. youtube. [video} Oct.23, 2021 https://youtu.be/jtttU5PmCds?si=BM36GTlu-m_9NLPP
Nasuʔkin (Chief) Joe Pierre Jr. is the current Chief of the Ktunaxa ʔaq̓am Community. He has served as Chief and councilor of the band for many years. He is well known throughout the region for his story telling and cultural knowledge, having presented stories at various storytelling festivals and events through the Kootenay region. He also helped found the Crazy Horse Theatre Company, and worked on the CBC production “North of Sixty”. Currently he works for SD 5 Southeast Kootenay as the Indigenous Education Coordinator and is a member of the Board of Directors for the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC).
Reflections for Educators:
What is your relationship like with Ktunaxa people?
Are there ways you can build, strengthen or enrich your relationships with Ktunaxa people?
Are there events you can attend, places you can visit or businesses you can shop at to support Ktunaxa people?
What role can technology or social media play in helping build better relationships with Ktunaxa people?
Have you visited https://skinkuctreasures.ca/ , https://legendlogos.ca/ , https://www.ainsworthhotsprings.com/, or https://www.steugene.ca/ ? If not what is holding you back? Can you think of other ways to support Ktunaxa businesses, artists, teachers and authors?
References:
Acker, K. (nd.) coyote in tall grass.[image] NPS. https://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/nature/images/DSC_6240361_2_1.jpeg
Chrona, J. (2022) Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies – An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education. Portage & Main Press.
Gilhuly, PJ. (2021) Raven Haven. Nelson International Mural Festival. [website] https://streetartcities.com/cities/nelson-ca/markers/35801
Horsethief, C. (2021) Christopher Horsethief [image used with permission] https://www.christopherhorsethief.com/
Horsethief, C. (2021) Christopher Horsethief Ph.D. [website] https://www.christopherhorsethief.com/
Louie, J. Horsethief, C., (2019)kwist̓aǂanmiyit: seven days with the chief.[film] https://vimeo.com/311171458
Luke, Chris. (Jun 28, 2018) Honouring Our Elders - Chris Luke. [video] youtube. SD8 Aboriginal Education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvdJBx3Ss5E
Luke, Cecelia. (Jun 28, 2018) Honouring Our Elders - Cecelia Luke. [video] youtube. SD8 Aboriginal Education.
https://youtu.be/Kw4rVcwnn0o?si=zJXwgrsKutBjpn6D
FNESC (nd.) First People’s Principals of Learning. https://www.fnesc.ca/first-peoples-principles-of-learning/
Folini, F. (2012) Jumping coyote.[image] CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coyote_(Canis_latrans)_(7147080735).jpg
Joseph, A. (2024) Alfred Joseph [image] provided by Joseph by email.
Ktunaxa Nation. (2024) Ktunaxa Nation [website] https://www.ktunaxa.org/
Riordan, K. (2023) Stories of This Place: Indigenous Public Art Connects Culture and Place. Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
https://www.whyte.org/post/indigenous-storytelling-artwork-nature-banff
Rose, L. (2023) q̓apkiǂ cover [image] https://www.bchistory.ca/resources/Pictures/Ktunaxa%20book.jpg
Mobbs, M. (2023) fishing header [image]
Nelson, M. (2024) Mara Nelson. [image] Personal correspondence from Nelson.
Nelson, M. (nd.) Ktunaxa Nation Language Resources: [website] https://ktunaxahakqyit.org/ktunaxa-language-resources
Parks Canada (2022) Our Land, Our Story, Our Words - Ktunaxa Nation [video] YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9rHABblqaA&t=16s
Pierre, J. (2021, Oct.23) Nasuʔkin Joe Pierre tells The Ktunaxa Creation Story. JCI. youtube. [video]
https://youtu.be/jtttU5PmCds?si=BM36GTlu-m_9NLPP
Raybould-Wilson, J. (2022) True Reconciliation - How to Be a Force for Change McClelland & Stewart.
Sumac, S. (2024) Smokii Sumac.Indigenous consultant. [website} https://www.smokiisumac.com/
Sweetmoon Photography (nd.) Smokii Sumac [image] https://www.smokiisumac.com/
Sumac, S. (2023) New Echoes in the Staircase. [video] The Nelson Museum https://vimeo.com/837627729
Twigg, Aiyana (2022) Ktunaxa Pride Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ktunaxapride/?hl=en
Twigg, Aiyana (2022) Ktunaxa Pride Linktr.ee https://linktr.ee/ktunaxapride
Twigg, Aiyana (2018) "PSA Don't be afraid to speak Indigenous Languages - A Message from Ktunaxa Youth and Elders" youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce4d_ICPSpw
Twigg, A (2022) Aiyana Twigg [image] used with permission from
https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/ktunaxa-student-and-future-leader-wins-lieutenant-governors-medal-award/