01 -(Full Day) Standing In Empathy with Keisha Everson (École Robb Road) 11:00am-3:00pm

Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm     Grades: ALL

Presenter:     Keisha Everson, Keynote Speaker & knowledge keeper for K’omoks First Nation
Location:      École Robb Road School, Comox
Limit:   50   (plus their school staff)
Contact:  Jessica Ellis

See the attached POSTER:  standing in empathy flyer – Keisha Everson

This workshop is created by Keisha Everson, Genie Lindsay, and Kia Everson. They are educators and social justice advocates who have been called to share the untold misrepresented histories about Indigenous Peoples across Canada. This simulation is designed to take the historical timeline of Canada and its relationship with Indigenous Peoples and help participants feel the impacts that indigenous Canadians are living with today. As we approach the 150 anniversary of the Indian Act, join us to understand the resilience and history that lives in Indigenous Peoples and Canada.

Keisha Everson Bio 

Carrying the name U’maga̱lis from her late grandmother, Keisha Everson is from the Gigal’ga̱m ‘Walas Kwaguł of the Kwakwaka̱’wakw and a member of the K’omoks First Nation with ancestral ties to the Tlingit of Tongas Valley (Alaska) and Europe, particularly the Netherlands. For the past 10 years Keisha has had a deepening passion for learning and teaching Kwak̕wala, the first language of her grandmother Mary Everson (U’maga̱lis wa̱łe’) who recently passed. She is being trained to step into her grandmother’s cultural matriarch role.

Keisha has a Masters’ of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization, Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and Bachelor of Arts (English and Greek and Roman Studies) from the University of Victoria. Keisha worked in School District 72 as a District Indigenous Language and Culture Teacher for 6 years before stepping away from the classroom to be home with her two children. Today she is a contractor who works with Island Health, the Na̱nwakolas Council, Comox Valley Schools, and the Kumugwe Cultural Society to facilitate workshops of various topics include cultural awareness, Indigenous history, and Kwak̓wala. Keisha is also Chair of the Indigenous Education Council and values centering Indigenous teachings, perspectives, and history through meaningful conversation.

Workshop questions, contact Jessica Ellis  jessica.ellis@sd71.bc.ca 

See the attached POSTER:  standing in empathy flyer – Keisha Everson