Dr. Gwendolyn Point
Dr. Point currently works part time providing cultural support to a local school district. She served a term 2015-2018 as The Chancellor for the University of the Fraser Valley. She has a Doctor of Education from Simon Fraser University, a Master of Education from the University of Portland, a Post Baccalaureate from SFU, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Point developed and delivered courses at UFV in the School of Social Work and Human Services and the History Department. She also served as UCFV’s Aboriginal Curriculum Coordinator. She served in the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training, Aboriginal Services Branch, as the regional coordinator for the Fraser Valley, and for the Northeast and Northwest Regions. She has been the coordinator and an instructor in the Early Childhood Education program at the First Nation Training and Development Centre in Prince Rupert, and, in her position as a faculty associate in the Faculty of Education at SFU, coordinated the supervision of student teachers. As Manager for 15 years in the Stó:lō Nation Education Department she was responsible for K-12, postsecondary, and First Nations language and culture programs. She has also worked as an elementary school teacher in Chehalis and as a native support teacher for School District 33.
Dr. Point has extensive government and community experience. From 2007–12, as spouse of the Lieutenant Governor, she served as BC’s Chatelaine. This role demanded her participation in numerous and diverse public engagements, social as well as ceremonial. She served as official host of visiting members of the Royal Family, heads of state and other dignitaries, as patron of organizations such as the BC Council of the Girl Guides of Canada and First Peoples House, and as an Officer of the Order of St. John.
She currently serves on the Board of the First Nation Education Steering Committee (formerly vice-president), the Chair for the BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), and the Co-Chair for the Assembly of First Nations Knowledge Keepers Council. She has also served as Independent Chair of the Fraser Valley Aboriginal Interim Board of the Ministry of Children and Families, and numerous other community and educational committees, councils and societies, frequently as chair.
She is a well-respected and well-recognized Stó:lō leader, mentor, and cultural advisor. She has contributed her deep cultural knowledge and experience to numerous books, conferences, workshops and communities, often as an invited keynote contributor.
Numerous awards include, Paul Harris Fellow, Order of Chilliwack, BC Aboriginal Tourism Award, Seattle Art Museum: “The Recognition for work in First Nation Language & Culture”, also recognized as Honorary Witness by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. She received, The University of the Fraser Valley: “The Betty Urqhart Community Service Award”, and Chilliwack School District set up 2 bursaries in her name.
Harvey McLeod
Biography is forthcoming.
Sempulyan Stewart Gonzales
2SLGBTQQIA+ Knowledge Keeper
I am a 62-year-old Indian Day School & Residential School survivor. I a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. I live a Clean & Sober life since April 3rd, 2007, attending a treatment centre on Vancouver Island, as well as, Choices Seminars in July 2005, Givers 1 & Giver 2. This was the start of my healing journey, I have coached at Choices and now Break Free Seminars. I’ve attended Super Choices & Super Givers, through these personal growth seminars, I’ve learned to accept myself as a proud Two-Spirit man. I’ve gone back to college focusing my studies in Child & Youth Care, worked for 8 years with SN Ayas Menmen delivering cultural and language lessons to our youngest population of Squamish Nation, providing the children with Squamish language and sign language together.
I am a member of our Syewen Winter Spirit dancing for 43 years and attended Sundance in Sioux Valley as well as, South Dakota where I received my Sundance name – Eagleday from my Sundance grandfather John Eagleday Sr. Been a member of our Shaker Indian Church since June 1979. I was a Men’s Traditional Dancer and travelled throughout Turtle Island aka North America along with my family.
Chen Kwenmantumi – I am grateful