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Seth is a former Chief Atahm School student who is currently enrolled in UBC’s Master of Arts in Educational Technology. He currently teaches in Chief Atahm School’s post-secondary partner institute, R Stselxméms r Secwépemc in the Adult Language Fluency Programs through NVIT and UBCO. Seth shares his knowledge of the language and culture to the program while incorporating many digital tools in his language work. Seth also works on our atahm.info and First Voices dictionaries and works with Secwépemc Elders on documenting and transcribing stories and narratives. Seth shares his passion for language in his home, with his four children and wife Willow.
Carleen is from the Quw’utsun territory, her traditional name is Stimaat. Her background includes community engagement and communications. By embracing cultural differences, Carleen has built strong ties with local organizations. She is skilled in seeking out opportunities for how to create streamlined and efficient operations. Carleen grew up in a family that builds traditional war canoes and engaged in canoe paddling, where healthy living and the use of traditional war canoes are ways of life.
Janice E. Billy is the grade 2/3 immersion teacher at Chief Atahm School and also teaches in the adult proficiency program. For over 20 years she has worked with all ages of language learners, from children to adults. She is a well-known TPRS presenter and has the ability to bring excitement to teaching language through storytelling while still using comprehensible input. Janice also teaches an intensive TPRS course at our TPRS Summer Institute.
Candice is Secwépemc from St̓uxtéws. She began her language journey during the pandemic with taking online classes taught by two Elders from her community. Nine months later, she packed up her things in Vancouver to attend the adult immersion program at R Stselxméms r Secwépemc in Adams Lake. Candice works in the Chief Atahm language nest and is currently assisting in the development of a grammar resource for Secwepemctsín immersion teachers.
Robert Matthew is Secwépemc from Simpcw. He has a Teaching Certificate and a Masters of Education and over 40 years experience in teaching and administration, 15 years in the B.C. public schools system and 25 years at Chief Atahm School. His passion is oral history, traditional knowledge and mapping.
Dr. Kathryn Michel has worked extensively in the area of community language revitalization and Indigenous language immersion education. She is one of the founding parents of Chief Atahm School, a Secwépemc language immersion program in 1991 on the Adams Lake Reserve near Chase, BC. Kathryn holds a Doctorate in Education from UBC and a Master of Arts in Education degree from SFU. She has written, edited and published numerous language curriculum resources for use in Secwepemc immersion classrooms. In 2013, she developed the “First Nations Language Essentials” curriculum guides for use in language programs in First Nations Schools across BC. Currently she is lead instructor for R Stselxméms r Secwépemc Institute language programs through NVIT and UBCO.
Laura has a B.A. from TRU with a Major in Theatre and a Secwépemc Language Proficiency Diploma from R Stselxméms r Secwépemc. As Language Nest Coordinator, Laura creates an immersive language environment. She is also a playwright, known for her play “Echoes of the Homesick Heart”, created in partnership with Western Canada Theatre, that brings the nuances of language, identity, and community to light.
Sydney (she/her) is a citizen of the Métis Nation. She has a diverse professional background including program coordination, language planning, Silent Speaker programming, community engagement, research consultation, and collections management & repatriation. In her role at FPCC, Sydney supports communities that are developing strategic language plans. She is deeply passionate about language and cultural revitalization work.
Lisa Orton (Cstélen – Adams Lake) is the Secwepemc Immersion Program Coordinator at Chief Atahm School. She has contributed to the school in various roles, including curriculum development, teaching community language classes, post-secondary education, and an immersion classroom teaching assistant. Lisa enjoys exploring Secwepemc plant names and uses and traditional harvedting activities on the land.
Denise (Tsilkst) Sellars (Xats̓úll – Soda Creek) is a Language Resource Assistant at the Chief Atahm School, where she works alongside teachers and staff to ensure the children get a well rounded education based in the Secwepemc language . She holds a Secwepemc Language Proficiency Diploma from Simon Fraser University (SFU) and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Secwepemc Language Fluency at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO).
Robyn Tardif (Kenpésq̓t, Secwépemc Nation) holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alberta University of the Arts specializing in Glass and a Secwépemc Language Proficiency Diploma from R Stselxméms r Secwépemc. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Secwépemc Language Fluency through Stselxmems/UBCO. She is dedicated to integrating artistic expression through various mediums, including glass, textiles, jewellery, and drawing with language revitalization.
K’odi Taylor was a bright student who struggled with undiagnosed ADHD, facing challenges like frequent moves, racism, and bullying. Despite excelling in school, he had trouble with homework, social interactions and dealing with childhood trauma, which led to early substance use. He pursued law but found that his natural intellect couldn’t keep up without proper support, eventually leading to burnout and dropping out.
After hitting a low point, K’odi set off on a journey of self-discovery—traveling, developing a deep love for languages, and eventually moving to Vancouver to learn his own Indigenous languages. ADHD continued to make life difficult, especially as he launched a part-time business to create language resources for Indigenous kids. His struggles worsened after his father’s passing, pushing him into a mental health crisis.
Getting diagnosed with ADHD was a turning point. With a new understanding of how his brain worked, K’odi built systems to manage his challenges, boosting his confidence and resilience. He quit his job to fully dedicate himself to creating language resources and spreading ADHD awareness, hoping to help others unlock their potential and thrive.
Matthew is a former student of Chief Atahm School who has gone on to expand his language through working with his mother in the Mentor-Apprenticeship Program (MAP). He is currently a student in the Simon Fraser University Language Proficiency Certificate in Secwepemctsín for Eastern Dialect.
Ada Jules is a proud Secwepemc educator from Adams Lake Band. She holds a Secwepemc Language Immersion Proficiency Diploma and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria. A former student of Chief Atahm School, Ada now teaches Grade 4 immersion at Chief Atahm, where she is dedicated to fostering language revitalization and cultural learning.
Allie is a former student at Chief Atahm School and worked for many years as a teaching assistant. She is an advanced speaker of Secwepemctsín and a budding storyteller. Allie is currently enrolled in the UBCO Bachelor of Secwépemc Language Fluency Degree Program.
Helping families raise amazing children in our beautiful Secwepemc language and culture. Call today for a tour or to talk about what our program can offer you and your family.