The Lheidli T’enneh ‘Atsiyan Ink’E ‘Atsoo Elders Society elected and acclaimed volunteer directors during the 2022 Lheidli T’enneh Annual General Assembly.
Since the AGA, Society Directors have met monthly to conduct the business of the society, with separate members meeting for activities, outings, and visiting.
The purpose of the Lheidli T’enneh ‘Atsiyan Ink’E ‘Atsoo Elders Society is to protect and encourage Lheidli T’enneh traditions, language, and culture through access and education.
Governance
Society Directors are working toward development of contemporary Lheidli T’enneh governance systems for the Society, while operating within the confines of the BC Societies Act.
Governance is the way groups of people organize themselves to make decisions and is based on a body of laws, values and acceptable behaviours by members of a society.
Strategic Plan
Facilitated by LTFN Communications Advisor Kevin Brown, a strategic plan outline three goals for 2023 has been completed.
Language: Saving the Lheidli Language is the Lheidli T’enneh ‘Atsiyan Ink’E ‘Atsoo Elders Society’s first priority. Working towards this goal, the Elders Society will host a Dakelh Language Forum in Spring 2023. Watch for more on this soon.
Culture: Lheidli culture is the second priority, and the Elders Society will work to create a video series featuring LTFN Elders sharing their stories and lives, and another series about the Lheidli Seasons. These will feature Lheidli Elders sharing their knowledge, seasonal traditions, and practices. Lheidli Spring and Lheidli Summer will be completed in 2023.
Operational Capacity: The third priority will be a LTFN Elders Workshop for new and current Elders, to determine, discuss and share knowledge amongst Elders on “The Role of an LTFN Elder.”
Member Meetings
Member gatherings are held every 4 – 6 weeks and are open to all Lheidli T’enneh Elders. To find out when the next gathering is, contact:
- Phyllis Seymour – Lheidli T’enneh ‘Atsiyan Ink’E ‘Atsoo Elders Society President
- [email protected]
Information is also shared on the Lheidli T’enneh ‘Atsiyan Ink’E ‘Atsoo Elders Society Facebook page.
Director Meetings
Directors meet monthly to conduct the business of the society. Elder Society members are welcome to attend director business meetings, but must contact the Elders Coordinator first. This will ensure meeting space and refreshments are adequate.
Those wishing to present at a Directors meeting must provide the Elders Coordinator with an outline of the presentation and desired outcomes. Presenters will be encouraged to keep their presentations brief. Directors will consider presentations to ensure they fit within the capacity and mandate of the Society and their relation to the strategic plan.
Request an Elder
Lheidli T’enneh receives many requests from various Aboriginal, Non-Aboriginal, Educational Institutions, Municipal, Regional Districts, Provincial and Federal Departments who request to have a Lheidli T’enneh representative present at the opening prayer of an event or to do an official welcome to the territory.
Requests to have a Lheidli T’enneh Elder Ambassador must be submitted in writing, contact:
- Kristine Seymour – Lheidli T’enneh ‘Atsiyan Ink’E ‘Atsoo Elders Society Coordinator
- [email protected]
Requests must be sent at least two (2) weeks prior to a scheduled meeting date.
