About Elder Larry Grant
Larry Grant, Musqueam Elder, was born and raised in Musqueam traditional territory by a traditional henqeminem speaking Musqueam family. After 4 decades as a tradesman, Larry enrolled in the First Nations Languages Program, which awoke his memory of the embedded value that the henqeminem language has to self-identity, kinship, culture, territory, and history prior to European contact. He is presently assisting in revitalizing henqeminem in the Musqueam Language and Culture Department, and co-teaching the introductory henqeminem course through UBC.
Larry is the Elder-in-Residence at UBC’s First Nations House of Learning. He is a Faculty Fellow at St. John’s College, and the inaugural Honorary Life Fellow for Green College. In 2010, he received the Alumni Award of Distinction from Vancouver Community College, and in 2014, he became an Honorary Graduate from the Native Indian Teacher Education Program (NITEP) at UBC.
About Elder Hugh E. Grant
Howard E. Grant was born and raised in the Musqueam community. He was one of the fortunate children who did not attend residential school, giving him the benefit of learning his culture, values and teachings from his elders in his every day life. Mr. Grant is his family’s cultural speaker and is a historian and cultural leader of his extended family. As a result of this, Howard was given the honour by the elders of his extended family to carry the name qiyeplen?xw. A name known and respected throughout Coast Salish territories.
Mr. Grant is currently the Executive Director of the First Nations Summit (FNS). FNS is comprised of a majority of First Nations and Tribal Councils in British Columbia (BC), providing a forum to address issues related to Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaty negotiations as well as other issues of common concern.
Mr. Grant is also a long serving member of Council from his home community of Musqueam, whose traditional territory once occupied much of what is now Greater Vancouver and surrounding areas. The primary Musqueam Reserve, Musqueam I.R. #2, is located at the mouth of the Fraser River in Vancouver.
Mr. Grant was previously employed as the Executive Director of the Musqueam Indian Band from 1992-1997. He also held senior management positions with the federal government (Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada DIAND now AANDC) from 1984-1992.
About Historian Lily Chow
Lily Chow was born in Malaysia, but has lived in Canada since the mid-sixties. She has taught in the Prince George School District and at the University of Northern British Columbia. She now devotes her time to researching and writing. Her first book, Sojourners in the North (Caitlin Press), won the Jeanne Clarke history award and is used in many colleges and universities as a reference text. She also published a second book on Chinese migration called Chasing Their Dream (Caitlin Press). Her third book is Blossom in the Gold Mountains (Caitlin Press).
About Professor Nancy Sandy
Nancy Sandy is an Assistant Professor and teaches Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Legal Traditions. She is a Secwépemc from T’exelc, the place where the salmon charge up the river south of the city of Yucwt.
Her primary area of research is the revival and resurgence of Indigenous laws in the area of child safety; however, she recognizes that to isolate one area of the law for Indigenous peoples is like separating us from our lands of origin. Indigenous laws embrace every aspect of economic, legal, political and social sectors of our lives, and are interconnected as they have been from our creation. St’exelcemc law commits her to embed Indigenous worldview, research methodology, transmission of knowledge principles, and abiding by local Indigenous protocol as an instructor and an academic. Professor Sandy believes that Indigenous peoples’ self-government and self-determination require strong administrative, governance and legal foundations that are respectful of Indigenous culture, language, laws and legal processes.
