Full Day – Standing in Empathy with Keisha Everson

As parking is limited at the Big House, bus transportation will be provided from Vanier Secondary and back. 

Presenter:      Keisha Everson
Time:  11:00-3:00   Bus leaving Vanier 10:45 approx. and return after workshop
Max: 80    Target: All   ** Note: Please bring a bag lunch with you **

POSTER: Standing in Empathy  standing in empathy flyer (2)

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 (SD71), and the Kumugwe Cultural Society to facilitate workshops of various topics include cultural awareness, Indigenous history, and Kwak̓wala. Keisha is also Chair of the SD71 Indigenous Education Council and values centering Indigenous teachings, perspectives, and history through meaningful conversation.