Wiga’xa̱n’s Yaḵ̓a̱nt̓alape. Let us speak together.
The Project name says it all. The Kumugwe Cultural Society has wanted to host a language camp for several years and finally felt ready to make that happen. Two weekend-long camps plus monthly language primers; everyone was very excited!
Unfortunately, 2020 had other things in store for us. To protect our elders, our immunocompromised, our children, and our families, the original vision of Wigax̱a̱n’s Yaḵa̱ntalape underwent some major revisions after our approval from the First Peoples’ Cultural Council.
The core goals of the project hold true. Participants in this project will be speaking together in their own household or bubble. Five families will undertake weekly and monthly goals to learn and practice Kwak̕wala while engaging with videos, online forums, interactive games, and home-based resources.
With Ninox̱sola Evelyn Voyageur and Mary Everson to guide the project, Zac Whyte to film monthly content videos, Carla Voyageur and Keisha Everson to create games and lessons, and Lee Everson to oversee the vision, the Wigax̱a̱n’s Yaḵa̱ntalape team has created an experience that will further the language journeys of five families and created online content to reach learners far and wide.
The Project Team
Ke’nakwa̱las, Lee Everson
Project Coordinator
Lee Everson is a guest on K’omoks First Nations territory, wife to Nagedzi hereditary Chief Rob Everson of the Gigalga̱m Wala̱s Kwaguł and mother of three. Lee is deeply rooted in her family’s culture, making regalia for her family, assisting in organizing feasts and potlatches, and dancing regularly with the Kumugwe Dancers. To ensure she follows traditional protocols she seeks guidance from Elders and knowledge keepers. Lee is fiercely proud of her family and grateful to be part of the Potlatching community. She has volunteered her time in organizing events such as National Aboriginal Day, The Annual Red Dress Awareness Campaign and Installation, Walking With Our Sisters K’omoks (the first location in BC), and serves as the volunteer administrator for the Kumugwe Cultural Society and Dance Group for the past eleven years. Lee was the curator for Potlatch 67-67 where she addressed the importance of reclaiming culture through art since the devastation of the Potlatch Ban.
Maxmuwidzumga, Carla Voyageur
Instructor, Content Creator, Website Designer
Carla is of Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw and Nisga’a ancestry . Maxmuwidzumga is the traditional name that bestowed upon her, roughly translated to “leaves a part of herself wherever she goes – her essence” from the Kwakwala language. She was raised immersed in the richness of the Kwakwaka’wakw language, culture, values and traditions.
She lives on the traditional unceded territory of the K’omoks and Pentlatch tribes and is a Kwakwala instructor at the North Island College. Homeschooling mom to four (4), Carla has always had a passion for the Kwakwaka’wakw language and culture, education, technology and the intertwining of them all.
La̱lx̱sa̱n Dala’og̱wa, Keisha Everson
Instructor, Content Creator
Keisha Everson carries the name “La̱lx̱sa̱n Dala’og̱wa from her great-grandmother, Margaret Frank nee Wilson. Keisha is of Kwakwaka’wakw, K’omoks, Tlingit, Dutch, and English ancestry and is a member of the K’omoks First Nation. She is a proud new mom currently on maternity leave from School District No. 72 where she works as an Indigenous Language and Culture Teacher for all ages but especially K-8.
In September 2019 Keisha began co-teaching the Kwak̕̕wala KWA-096 and KWA-097 courses at North Island College; teaching adults has been a powerful learning experience. Keisha is also in the final months of a Masters’ of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization from the University of Victoria.
Evelyn Voyageur
Nox̱sola, Fluent Elder Speaker, Mentor
Dr. Evelyn Voyageur is a Registered Nurse and holds a PhD in Psychology. Evelyn has extensive experience in health care in the community, hospital and in nursing education.
Evelyn worked with the Indian Residential School Society for four years from 1999, where her work concentrated on isolated villages and support for former students healing from the trauma of residential schools. Evelyn was invited to join the North Island College’s Nursing Program to support changes to its curriculum to help bring cultural awareness to their programming after hearing her present on “the effects of the residential school on the health of the First Nations.” In 2005, Evelyn received an award in nursing from Health Canada for making a difference in working with the First Nations people. Evelyn was the first Native nurse to receive this award of excellency.
Evelyn has been active in the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada since 1980; serving as the BC representative, vice president and as president (2010 to 2012) and is still active in the association. Evelyn founded the Native and Inuit Nurses Association of BC (NINA) in the early 1980s to help educate those who work with the First Nations communities.
Zac Whyte
Videographer
Zac Whyte is a creative communications professional and visual media producer from Courtenay, British Columbia. He is a father of three and a sixth generation Comox Valley resident with a deep interest in building cultural bridges of understanding and sustainable development models that foster resilient social, environmental and economic wellness. Zac has an Honours degree in Liberal Studies from Vancouver Island University and Honours diploma in Broadcast Media and Television Communications from British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Uma’galis, Mary Everson
Nox̱sola, Fluent Elder Speaker
On July 13, 2023, our founding President, U’maga̱lis (“Princess-all-around”), Elder Mary Everson (née Frank), left this world to become one of those ancestors. Mary was not only our President—she was a mother, grandmother, nox̱sola (knowledgeable one), mentor, and beloved friend to many. She dedicated her life to cultural preservation, advocacy, and education, leaving behind a profound legacy that continues to inspire our community.
Mary was Kwakwaka̱’wakw, Puntl’ach, K’ómoks, and Tlingit, and came from the K’ómoks First Nation. Raised in the old way by her parents, Chief Andy Frank and Margaret (Maggie, “Audie”) Frank nee Wilson, she carried their teachings with her throughout her life, shaping the way she lived and the values she passed on to others. From childhood, she attended potlatches and ceremonies, witnessing the resilience and revitalization of the Kwakwaka̱’wakw people. She learned at the elbows of the Old People and became a guiding force within the Gigal’ga̱m ‘Walas Kwagu’ł, committed to ensuring that traditional knowledge was preserved and passed down.
Mary’s dedication to her people and community was evident in her many leadership roles. She helped found the Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry and the Kumugwe Cultural Society, where she served as President. She also served on the board of directors for the Aboriginal Women’s Council of BC and Yukon, the BC Native Courtworkers, and numerous other councils and committees. Her influence extended into education as well, where she worked as an Elder adviser for School District 71, guiding the next generations with wisdom and cultural knowledge.
Beyond her leadership roles, Mary’s heart was in nurturing and caring for others. She was a foster mom for over forty-five years, providing love and guidance to countless children. Most importantly, she was a devoted mother to eight children, ranging in age from 11 to 55. Her love for family and community was the foundation of everything she did.
Mary often reminded us: “Make choices to make life better for each and everyone who are lost and hurt! Culture is not only when you wear regalia and dance, it is a way of life that our ancestors can see! He em.”
To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. The loss of Mary has left a void in our lives that cannot be filled. However, her legacy lives on in the traditions she upheld, the wisdom she shared, and the community she helped strengthen. She now walks among the ancestors, watching over us as we continue the work she so passionately dedicated her life to.
Kumugwe Cultural Society
Established in 2007, The Kumugwe Cultural Society’s purpose is to promote, preserve, and advocate for the cultural practices of the K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw Peoples. It aims to conduct activities that foster a vibrant cultural experience for its members and advocate for Indigenous Peoples to promote social change.