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Faculty and Elder Biographies
(l-r) Kellie Tennant, Treanne Keylor, Danny Charlie, Artemis Fire, Merle Williams
Elders
"Se'qwa:y e'nte'n" (Danny Charlie)
Danny Charlie was born June 23rd, 1948 in Chilliwack and raised on the Skwah First Nations Reserve. The same as every other First Nations Person, he suffered from many traumatic experiences as a child that inflicted many hurtful, shameful and embarrassing scars in the back of his mind and heart that he carried in silence for many years. Then as he entered into his puberty and youth stage of life, all those hurts and pains slowly turned into anger and rage that became a self-inflicting antidote of alcohol and drugs that led to a path of destructiveness of himself and as a result of his anger and rage, he developed a pattern of petty criminal behaviors of petty theft that had punishable consequences.
This carried on all through his teenage stage of life until he turned 21 years of age, then in the winter of 1970 his parents turned his life over to the Longhouse Spiritual Leaders/Elders. At this point in his life, was a turning point for him, as the purpose of his parents giving him to the Elders was to save his life, and this is exactly what they did. So what happened to Danny is that he received his Traditional Name "Se'qwa:y e'nte'n" that same winter and all of his Teachings and Trainings also began from that winter on to 2003, when his last remaining Elder finally passed on.
Through all of his life experiences and what he has learnt through his Teachings and Trainings from the Longhouse Leaders/Elders and also what he remembers from the stories of the Elders when he was a child, is what he calls his tools and skills of his work today. So no matter what setting or gathering he is in or what problems an individual or group may be having or working through, he has an understanding of how to work with you towards finding a solution. This is how and why he was trained by so many Elders and he was given many Teachings to help guide our people back to their true heart.
Today he also works in the Urban Community, such as Douglas College and School District #40, to help guide and advise the Urban Resources that work with our children and youth the importance of our Culture and Ceremonies as a tool of helping to enhance the learning abilities of our children and youth in the education system. And help those working in the child and youth care system also how to work with our children, youth and families to strengthen the spirit of the whole family for a safer, healthier and stronger environment for the whole family and community together.
One of his most important messages is that nobody is perfect as the day we were born, we all have some hurt and pain in our lives that has caused us some hurt, pain, embarrassment, shame and anger, that we carry in silence because of those emotional feelings. Today some of us overlook that and are very quick to pass judgement and critisize others for their weaknesses to fight and overcome those sensitive issues, some of us become very strong warriors and help those that need a hand to reach out and help them in their time of need. Se'qwa:y e'nte'n has become the warrior and his hand is always reaching out waiting for someone to ask for help, that's who Se' qwa:y e'nte'n is today...
Both as a Helper and as a Teacher, he does not discriminate against anyone, no matter what culture, race or religion that you come from, he is willing to help anyone, all you have to do is ask. This is his Teaching from his Elders.
Skiljaday (Merle Williams)
My traditional name is Skiljaday and I am from the Yalth Lanas Raven Clan from Haida Gwaii. I was born and raised on Haida Gwaii. I am a traditional Healer and have been practicing for about 15 years. I currently live in Tsawwasssen and am mother to 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl. I have one Grandson who is 13 years old.
I have been involved in Aboriginal Education all my life, however, I was trained as an Educator right after highschool. I was the first University graduate from my community of Old Massett in 1981. I taught school for aproximately 24 years and I worked for the BC Teachers Federation for 5 years.
Currently I do contract work for Spirit of the Children working as a Grandmother to help with the work for Chiildren and Families. I work in my own healing Business. It brings me a lot of joy to work with Aboriginal Families. I also work with Douglas University as an elder to the Child and Youth Stream to offer support where needed. Merle Williams.
Faculty
Artemis Fire
Artemis Fire is Métis. She has roots in the Red River area of Manitoba, Dakota territory and Western Europe. She lives with her partner of many years and the rest of her family is spread across the country. Artemis is a proud auntie. She has been working with children, youth, families and communities since 1991, most recently with VACFSS. Artemis has been a guest in Coast Salish territory since 1993. She values education, as a means of empowerment, and currently seeks her education from elders, students, children, youth, nature and Creator. Artemis has also completed a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work and has had the honour of facilitating learning with the Squamish Nation/UBC Social work program, as well as the former IIG's Social Work program.
Virge Silveira
I was born in Lytton, BC - the hottest place in BC, according to records. My mother¿s ancestors have made their home here for many centuries. My father is from Pico, Azores, Portugal and did not start immigration until the late fifties.
I was raised in the east end of Vancouver with my parents and three other siblings. I attended elementary and high school in the same neighborhood. When I graduated high school I attended Langara College and took general studies for two years, not really going anywhere with it, until 1992 when I applied to the Fraser Valley College in Abbottsford, BC and started the process of being accepted to the early childhood program. I completed my diploma of Infant care and then enrolled for the Child and Youth Care degree program being distantly offered by the University of Victoria. After finishing this degree (as the first Aboriginal student to receive a degree from the college), I applied for graduate school.
My graduate studies took me to a distant Canadian program in Lacombe, Alberta. I completed my Marriage and Family Therapist degree from the University of Loma Linda. Prior to leaving for Lacombe I had been actively involved in many community based programs for Aboriginal children and youth and risk as I attended University.
Upon returning my employment journey brought me to working with Residential School survivors and families provincially, as well as continuing to support urban Aboriginal families who had contact with the child welfare system and were needing community support in different areas of their lives. I was also the director for the five Provincial chairs leading the process of moving towards an Aboriginal Authority. Throughout this time, I actively volunteered my time and experience for various Aboriginal organizations/initiatives in the capacity of boards, consulting on culture, and committees.
My employment over the past three years has been with the Province where I am actively implementing an Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health plan for the Fraser region. My role is one of being a team leader where I supervise nine staff in the delivery of mental health services for Aboriginal community. Being a contract instructor for Douglas College began in 2009.
I currently live with my spouse and one step daughter in Maple Ridge, BC and we try our best to live our lives with the gifts that the creator has given us to facilitate healing for the people.
Kellie Tennant
Kellie Tennant is from the Cree Nation of Peguis, Manitoba and has been a visitor in the Coast Salish territory for the past 17 years. Kellie has been working with Aboriginal children, youth and families for over 10 years, specializing in working with urban Aboriginal people. Her academic background includes a Bachelor Degree of Social Work from UFV and will complete her Masters Degree of Social Work at UBC in the spring of 2010. Kellie's professional experience of 11 years includes Prevention Outreach counsellor, Residential youth worker, A&D Counsellor, Mentorship Coordinator, Tutor/Mentor, and Community Developer and Programmer. Kellie post graduate work has been working in child welfare in Family Preservation and Reunification, Child Welfare Urban Aboriginal Policy Analyst, Family Group Conferencing, Traditional Decision Making, and Child Protection Mediation. Kellie's passion is to improve the quality of life of Aboriginal children, youth, and families through cultural restoration and pride. Meegwich, Kellie Tennant.
Support Staff
Wendy Sashikata
Wendy is the daughter of Japanese immigrants, born and raised in the Lower Mainland. She started off her post-secondary educational path at Douglas College, completed a degree at SFU and eventually returned to Douglas to graduate from the Child and Youth Care Counsellor Diploma Program. After working in the field for a few years, she received a scholarship to study in the country of her roots, completing a Masters Degree in Social Work in Tokyo, Japan. Following a couple of years working with Japanese children and youth, she is back at Douglas College, this time to meet students travelling on their educational road.
