Elder profile: Stz’uminus’s George Harris (Wholwolet’za)

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is run with guidance from an Elders Council with representatives from its 11 member nations. This article was originally published in the Salish Sea Sentinel.

What a pleasure it was to sit with George Harris (Wholwolet’za) of Stz’uminus First Nation and learn about his life. Even though the roads were covered in snow, George had no hesitation braving the weather in order to give me a piece of his day, so that I was able to interview him.  

To me this demonstrated how he is always willing to give of himself. 

George’s Indian name Wholwolet’za came from his great-grandfather of Lyackson First Nation. His late parents are Lawrence and Irene Harris (nee Joe) of Stz’uminus.

George says he is proud to be Stz’uminus, and Coast Salish, and he is thankful for the teachings of his grandmother.  

“Make up your mind to be strong – Q’wam-kwum tsun shqˌwuluwun,” she would say, as well as telling George to follow a traditional way of life. George is passionate about protecting the water, and proudly wears a medallion around his neck that features Eddy Joe’s rendition of the petroglyph in Kulleet Bay, depicting the Protector of Kulleet Bay Harbour. 

George said he believes in working with various organizations as it enriches the lives of his people — along with serving on the Elders Council for Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, he has an impressive list of professional accomplishments. 

He has held numerous roles on various councils and committees, including working for Correctional Services Canada on a National Elders Working Group Committee. He previously served as the CAO of the Hul’q’umi’num Treaty Group, as a Stz’uminus Councillor, and was one of the founding members of Tsow-Tun Le Lum Treatment Centre. 

It is truly is our honour to have George Harris serve on our Elders Council representing Stz’uminus. 

Elder profile: Homalco’s Vera Peacey

Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council is run with guidance from an Elders Council with representatives from its 11 member nations. This article was originally published in The Salish Sea Sentinel.

When I sat down with Homalco Elder Vera Peacey, she spoke about the importance of tolerance and self-development. 

“I was taught early in life from my family to be respectful, and considerate of others,” she said. 

“We must work on ourselves and move forward in life. … If you put your mind to something there is nothing you can’t do.” 

Vera lives at Homalco First Nation, but she was born in Vancouver. She grew up in Redonda Bay, a small fishing village near Church House and Klahoose First Nation. 

Her father was originally from Russia, and her grandmother was from the Pielle family, but married into the Joseph family of Tla’amin Nation. 

Learning how to weave baskets was a skill passed down through the generations, and Vera learned to weave as a child from her mother Irene and Great Aunt Annie. Irene and Annie’s baskets can be seen to this day at the Campbell River Museum. 

Vera and her husband Dave of more than 50 years have three boys –  Ron, Kevin and Todd — as well as seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

Vera worked for the Province of B.C. in safety and First Nations health for more than 20 years. 

She was also the housing coordinator for Homalco and Klahoose. 

She spoke of how she would never have been able to get these jobs if she had not returned to school when she was 39 years old, when she entered a women’s program that taught her administration and computer skills. At the same time, she received her driver’s license. 

Currently Vera is still working for her nation temporarily as coordinator for an upcoming language gathering being held at Homalco with surrounding communities. 

She is still striving to preserve and learn the history and culture of our people, and serves on the NmTC Elders Council in order to be a voice for her community 

We value all you do for us Vera, and thank you for sharing your knowledge, making us stronger. 

Elder profile: Tsleil-Waututh’s Deanna D. George

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is run with guidance from an Elders Council with representatives from its 11 member nations. This article was originally published in the Salish Sea Sentinel.

Tsleil-Waututh Elder Deanna D. George’s traditional name is Synlha’liya. The name was handed down to her from her grandmother on her father’s side — Elizabeth Roseena Joseph of the Squamish Nation. Her parents are Sam and Caroline (nee Trimble) Joseph of the Squamish Nation, and Deanna is one of 11 children. 

Deanna recently celebrated her 80th birthday. She married into the Tsleil-Waututh nation 61 years ago, and she and her husband Earnest have four children of their own: Carleen, Leah, Earnest and Deanna. They also have 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, with the youngest one being just two months old. 

Deanna’s first job was at White Spot restaurant where she was a dishwasher. Later, she took on a live-in nanny job and worked in a senior’s home before taking job training to become a social worker for Tsleil-Waututh.  She held that position for 11 years, and later furthered her training to become an addictions worker. Currently, Deanna works as an Elder-in-Residence at the Vancouver Community College. 

Volunteering for many organizations, past and present, has also kept Deanna busy.  She was part of a Homemaker’s Club that did fundraising with the United Church, gathering donations of clothing and household needs that were given to Indigenous families up north.  She and her husband are members of the local Catholic church, and fundraise at Christmastime to buy presents for children and elders. She and her husband also sit on an Elders Advisory Committee for Vancouver Coastal Health. 

Deanna also serves on Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s Elders Council, joining in part because her daughter and namesake, Deanna George, is a director for NmTC. 

“I was hearing all that they do, and wanted to be part of the team and be able to have some input for my nation,” the elder Deanna said. 

Deanna said if she had advice for others, it would be: “Love yourself and know who you are.  Have a dream and go for it, and work hard for it as well.” 

Thank you Deanna for all that you do.