In a time when Bowen Islanders have been reckoning with the colonial and genocidal realities of Canada, and asking “what can I do,” facilitator Pulxaneeks ( Pul-ha-neeks ) from Xaunksiala First Nation is holding a 90-minute virtual Introduction to Indigenous Awareness Building presentation. The cut-off for registration is 3 p.m. July 1.
The event coincides with Canada Day, in a time when Canada Day is getting a lot of increased scrutiny, but the timing is coincidental. Pulxaneeks noted the irony of the date when she scheduled it three months ago, “but it’s not specifically for what’s been happening, it just happened to fall on that day.”
Pulxaneeks, a facilitator since 2003, runs Heart to Heart Indigenous Relations Consulting. She is from the Eagle Clan of the Xanuksiala First Nation, and was raised in the coastal Indigenous village she was born in and in the colonial “Canadian” mainstream society. “The work she offers of Indigenous Awareness Building comes from the unique understanding that has come from being exposed to both cultures,” says her website.
The July 1 event includes acknowledgement and honouring, introductions of practicing allys, a grounding in five points of clarity, an introduction to the four pillars of Indigenous right relationship making and active receiving and listening.
“It involves a lot of guiding, a lot of inviting people to drop into their heart,” Pulxaneeks said of her work. Pulxaneeks describes this presentation as “just the tip of the iceberg,” of what she offers. For those interested in continuing, she has a six-part series to come in the fall.
“[It’s] a lot of honouring why we’re here, a lot of acknowledging what’s at the root, giving a space for heart to be heard. A lot of times people will go through their whole lives and not have the opportunity to just speak to these big things that are within them,” said Pulxaneeks. “They learn things and they don’t have anywhere to bring it. They’re aware of the information and what’s going on, but don’t have anywhere to talk about it.
“I’m here to create more understanding and possibility of connection.”
“Someone would be interested in this because they have some things that are weighing on their heart and on their mind regarding Indigenous people and feeling lost or confused or conflicted,” she said. “That’s who I want to help, who I want to reach out to.”
While Pulxaneeks has lived on Bowen since fall 2018, she’s moving to Duncan next week. Had she stayed, her plan was to see built an Indigenous Awareness Committee with representatives from across the island.
“That was one of my long-term goals living there,” she said. “The aim with this is for folks to be more supported in understanding how to put their privilege to right use in the honouring of their Indigenous Host and the countless sacrifices that have been made for us to live as we do. Indigenous People are 4.8 per cent the population in Canada, and one of the ways that happened is just beginning to make the headlines.
“I really see Bowen as having a huge capacity to step more into right relationship with your hosts,” she said. “Just how people kind of shrink in their seat when I ask them if they know any Squamish Nation people who live on the island – and they’re like ‘we’re really white.’ And how they’re willing to be with that and be uncomfortable with it.
“That is a symptom of allyship that has been unguided and ungrounded and in need of direction.”
Pulxaneeks also wants to find people to help Pauline Le Bel, founder of Knowing our Place, with the work and relationships she’s been building with Squamish people for decades. “She’s got a massive list of things that she wants to do,” said Pulxaneeks. “She’s our cherished elder and I want to see her supported in all of her endeavours.”
“She’s got the list, she’s got the connections, she’s got the relationships, but she’s only one human.”
While Pulxaneeks is moving away, she has built strong connections here and plans to return for events with Shasta Martinuk and Brian Hoover and plans on doing events on their property when restrictions lift.
The event is July 1 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is $75 plus tax. See the eventbrite page for more information.
Find more information about Pulxaneeks’ work at indigenousrelationsconsultation.com (Indigenous Relations Consultation dot com).
Writer's note: Pulxaneeks invited me to reflect on my reaching out to her to write this story, why I wanted to amplify it. Inserting ourselves like this is not something journalists usually do, but there’s also very much a need to decolonize journalism and place ourselves in where we come from. I’m coming from a place where I don’t have deep connections or relationships with Squamish people, and feel too feel lost in decolonization discussions, despite being around them my entire life. And I think many Bowen Islanders feel the same way. My job is to amplify people, topics, subjects Bowen Islanders need or want to hear about and a lot of us need to reach outside our bubbles of comfort to join a healing process.
