Culture Committee

Tla’amin Elder, teacher, and ʔayʔaǰuθəm language champion who helped launch school-based language teaching. Betty is a certified teacher, expert basket weaver and leader in the Tla’amin Sacred Heart Church congregation. In 2024 she received the Benemerenti Medal. Her widely celebrated auto-biographical bilingual picture book, ɬagət hiyt t̓oxʷʊm / Herring to Huckleberries, shares Tla’amin food-harvesting knowledge.

Respected Elder, residential school survivor and longtime teacher’s aide. With her husband Alex, she fostered for 20 years, adopting four children; in 1999 she helped found the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents. She shares teachings with Tla’amin’s čičyɛ circle.

Raised by her grandparents Elsie is a Tla’amin Elder, fluent language keeper and author (As I Remember It / ʔəms tɑʔɑw). A longtime social‑services workers she also served as Justice of the Peace, Tla’amin’s first female band councillor and has been a curriculum collaborator with School District 47. Elsie is author of the award‑winning memoir Written as I Remember It and its immersive digital edition As I Remember It, and recipient of VIU’s Honorary Doctorate (2010), CHA Lifetime Achievement, and the 2024 ACLS Open Access Book Prize

Tla’amin educator, Indigenous curriculum designer and language learner and teacher. Gail worked for decades within School District 47 weaving Tla’amin teachings into all grades and helped teachers deliver meaningful First Peoples’ learning. Gail holds a master’s degree from UVIC in Indigenous Language revitalization and is a sessional instructor at UVIC. She also contributes to the First Voices App, building a Tla’amin database of words and phrases.

Community wellness advocate supporting health promotion, cultural activities and language revitalization. Dawna has experience organizing culturally grounded wellness activities and helping families with regalia-making for baby welcoming. She connects Elders, parents and children to healthy, land-based activities.

Long-serving Tla’amin preschool teacher and language educator. A lead teacher for the ʔayʔaǰuθəm immersion pilot, she mentors colleagues and supports classroom fluency; she has also taught Tla’amin language in local schools.

Elder, knowledge keeper and language teacher who helped launch Tla’amin’s FirstVoices archive. Randolph is called upon to help with the work of ceremony, brushing and healing. He teaches the orthography and introductory language classes.

Jr. Elder and knowledge keeper Cyndi Pallen carries the name of her great grandmother Cine’, passed down through her father’s side. Grounded in the teachings of her parents and grandparents, Cyndi keeps Tla’amin cultural practices alive through language, songs, and dance.

In 2000, Cyndi founded Spirit Singers, the first all-women’s drum group rooted in elder teachings. As a Spirit Singer, she is called upon to open community events, ceremonies, and cultural gatherings. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Victoria, with training in anti-oppressive theory.

Through her love of music and community, Cyndi sits on the PRISMA Board and has performed with Tla’amin Nation’s Drummers and Singers at PRISMA on the Beach. For over 15 years, she has coordinated the Wuwoom Festival — named for the Tla’amin word for singing — an inclusive celebration welcoming musicians and artists from all cultures.

Losa Luaifoa is a proud Tla’amin Citizen dedicated to building a stronger community. She supports programs and services that touch everyday life, from recreation to child and family wellbeing to membership. As an elected leader, she brings the voices of Tla’amin people to the Finance and Audit, Finance, and Economic Development Committees, helping guide the Nation’s growth with care and accountability.

Language learner and Tla’amin trained speaker Ryan is a proud descendant of both the Pielle and Adams families. He is the Manager of Tla’amin Child & Family Services and the Nation’s Designated Representative in child-welfare matters and is working to build a new child welfare approach in Tla’amin Nation that is based on Tla’amin Ta-ow. According to Ryan he is also his parent’s favourite child.

Leslie is the Manager of Tla’amin’s Ɂəms ʔayɛ Cultural Centre. An active member of Tla’amin’s canoe and drum families Leslie was lucky to grow up around Tla’amin Elders and take in their teachings. Leslie spent the last decade working in early childhood education focused on culturally appropriate programming for Tla’amin čičuy and families.

Language and Culture Coordinator for Tla’amin Nation, Sosan holds a BA in First Nations Studies (VIU) and a Master’s Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization (UVic). She leads programs in language, drumming, weaving, and Coast Salish teachings across schools and community, building on past roles as cultural curator, archivist, and educator. A lifelong weaver and artist, she champions intergenerational learning and respectful stewardship of Tla’amin heritage.