Her talk takes place at Q̓ə pix ʔidaʔas Gathering Place at the Campbell River campus, Nov. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Indigenous Speaker Series, organized by NIC's Office of Indigenous Education and Office of Global Engagement, is an opportunity to bring together NIC staff, faculty, students and broader communities.
“The Indigenous Speakers Series is an integral part of our Journeying Together plan, which intentionally weaves Indigenization and internationalization together in a collective commitment to becoming a truly Indigenous-serving institution,” said Kelly Shopland, NIC executive director of Indigenous Education.
For the opening talk, Chief George will speak about returning to her roots to reinvigorate weaving into the daily lives of Squamish families and communities, and how she has incorporated weaving into claiming territory, telling histories of the community’s contributions to Kumkumlay (Vancouver).
“My life’s work has been in culture with Squamish Nation, as well as post-secondary education museum studies and art,” she said in a speaker’s note for the talk, adding that she considers teachings and history from her elders and ancestors of the highest importance and that the success of one Indigenous person benefits all Indigenous people.
Since age 18, George has interviewed, recorded and learned her most honoured teachings from the Squamish Nation Elders. She is from a prominent Squamish family and has numerous ceremonial and cultural responsibilities within her community. She graduated from Capilano University and the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N.M. She is an educator and museum curator, including work as co-curator and co-designer of the Squamish and Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler and the new Vancouver Art Gallery.
She received the Squamish Nation Excellence Award for CULTURE, for making a significant contribution to the community and a national Dreamcatcher Award in 2010 for outstanding contribution to her community in the area of arts and culture.
George has also been a TEDx Whistler speaker, co-organized the first Canada Northwest Coast Weavers Gathering with other Squamish Nation weavers and held exhibitions of her work at Canada House for the 2010 Olympics, the Squamish and Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Seattle Art Museum, Royal British Columbia Museum, Evergreen State College and Portland Art Museum.
To reserve a seat for George’s talk, RSVP online. There will also be more information on later talks posted at nic.bc.ca.
