Dip siip’ntut Sm’algyax, das wii hana’nax :“we love sm’algyax, from these strong women”
Webinar Speakers
| Maadm Gyeks | Annika Bryant Maadm Gyeks which means “Snowflake falling gently” is Annika Bryant’s Ts’msyen name. She is from the Kitsumkalum La̱xgyibuu clan, and lives and works as the Kitsumkalum Sm’algya̱x Assistant in her community of Kitsumkalum. Maadm Gyeks is a proud graduate of the Kitsumkalum Headstart and ‘Na Aksa Gyilak’yoo School (NAGK), where she received the Cultural Ambassador Award for 2018/2019. She is not only passionate about Sm’algya̱x but also deeply rooted in her culture showcasing her skills as a singer and dancer. With a keen interest for technology and artistic creativity, she keeps an open mind in whatever she does and is always seeking new ways to express herself. Maadm gyeks is inspired daily by her dream to become fluent in Sm’algya̱x, with the help, inspiration, and love from family – especially her sister Emily Bryant (Dm Syl Haaytk Gibaaw), and her parents, Sharon Bryant (Litamlaxdaw Gibaaw) and Darryl Bryant (‘Wii Waap’m Gaax). She holds all her family’s teachings close to her heart. | |
| Dm Syl Haaytk Gyibaaw | Emily Bryant Dm Syl Haaytk Gyibaaw, Emily Bryant, holds the name “the one that stands with the wolves” from the House of Wadi Waay, Kitsumkalum Wolf Clan. Dm Syl Haaytk Gyibaaw has grown up surrounded by Sm’algyax teachings but has intentionally immersed herself in Sm’algyax since 2019. From online learner led initiatives to online classes with South East Alaska University to being a Language Lead Coordinator within her community of Kitsumkalum. Successfully completing 3 years of the Mentor Apprentice Program (MAP Connections) with First People’s Cultural Council. Along with documentation and assistance from fluent speakers, some courses completed with the University of Victoria – she continues to learn to better serve Kitsumkalum and Sm’algya̱x. Dm Syl Haaytk Gyibaaw continues to be inspired by Ts’msyen storytellers and hopes to be one herself. Aiming to create a loving, safe space for Sm’algya̱x teachings to thrive and build up confidence and curiosities with adult language learners so we can all tell our stories. “Our language is an invitation to tell you about who we are, where we come from. To hear your stories, in your language.” | |
| Ama G̱oodm La̱xsüülda | Ocean-Lynn Georgelin Ocean-Lynn’s Ts’msyen name is Ama G̱oodm La̱xsüülda (calm spirit of the ocean). She is a member of the Raven Clan and lives on Ts’msyen territory near her community, Kitsumkalum. Ocean-Lynn grew up hearing traditional stories shared with her by her mother and community elders. As a young adult, she has chosen to immerse herself in Sm’algyax (Ts’msyen language), storytelling and teaching. Ocean-Lynn is a four-time recipient of the Youth Empowered Speaker’s grant and has received a certificate in First Nations Language and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Northern BC. | |
| Dekhāmā | Kimberly Godfrey Dekhāmā (Kimberly Godfrey) is a passionate Sm’algya̱x learner and advocate for Indigenous language and culture. Dekhāmā is matrilineally Tāłtān – her crest is Tsesk’iye and her clan is Tehkahche – and matrilineally Gitxsan from her grandfather. Born and raised in Kxeen, she has a deep love and respect for the Ts’msyen culture, teachings, communities and Sm’algya̱x. Her Sm‘algya̱x learning journey started in grade 5 and continued as she graduated high school. She is also learning her great-grandmother’s first language, Sim Algyax / Gitxsanimx. As the Kitsumkalum Sm’algya̱x Assistant Team Lead, Dekhāmā is deeply rooted in community, culture, language and ceremony. She is dedicated to inspiring others to connect with their roots and embrace the richness of language and culture. As a daughter, granddaughter, aunt, niece, sister, and friend, she cherishes her roles within her family and community and is a proud dog mom to Tehkahche and Luna. | |
| Lisa Deptuck Lisa Deptuck is a queer storyteller, Sm’algyax learner, and musician from the Kitsumkalum Ganhada (Raven) clan of the Ts’msyen Nation. Gratefully living on lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territory, now known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, Lisa is determined in her storytelling and Sm’algyax journey. After two years of learning Sm’algyax online with Shugayna (Donna May Roberts) and a community of learners, Lisa spent three years and completed 300 hours of immersion in the Mentor-Apprentice Program with her mentor Huhuułk (Theresa Lowther) through First People’s Cultural Council. Lisa tenderly holds teachings from her late grandmother Adeline Roper, her mother Arlene Deptuck and her late mentor Huhuułk (Theresa Lowther). These teachings and stories walk between the physical, the supernatural and the spirit world, and Lisa humbly walks alongside them, opening her heart and spirit to be a caring home for Sma’lgyax. |
Contact for Information
Kitsumkalum Language Team
Emily Bryant, Language Coordinator
Email: language@kitsumkalum.com