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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.
Tekawus Armitage (Cstélen, Secwépemc) is a former Chief Atahm student and father of two children attending our school. He has a passion for creating music and writing songs with themes of language, land and storytelling.
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.
Sasha is a Language Program Navigator with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council. She has a background in linguistics, teaching, and curriculum development. She currently supports FPCC grant teams through resource development, training, and grant administration.
Ada Jules is a proud Secwepemc educator from Adams Lake Band. She holds a Secwepemc Language Immersion Proficiency Diploma and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Victoria. Ada is a former student of Chief Atahm School and now teaches Grade 3/4 immersion at Chief Atahm School. She is dedicated to fostering language revitalization and cultural learning
Charmayne Jules is Cstélenec, Secwépemc and resides in Sexqeltqin near Chase, BC. She is Secwepemc from her dad’s side and her mother is Nlak’pamux. Charmayne has 3 children, Graydon, Tegan, and Olivia. She works as the On the Land resource teacher at the Henry Grube Education Center for School District 73. She enjoys spending time outdoors and on the land, and finds it fitting that, as a teacher in the public school system, she can share everything she knows about the land to help students engage and understand the importance of outdoor education. Charmayne will be completing her Master’s in Education this fall at UBC.
Melpetkwe is Secwépemc from Adams Lake Band and a PhD candidate in the Geography Department at the University of British Columbia. She currently works at the University of British Columbia Okanagan as the Community Liaison and Instructor Coordinator for the Bachelor of Secwépemc Language Fluency program. She also serves as Chair of the R Stselxméms R Secwépemc Institute. Her research and life’s work center on Secwépemc futurity and supporting Secwépemc communities to thrive through language and culture.
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.
Lawrence Michel is a respected Elder, storyteller and language teacher from Cstélen, Secwépemc Nation. “Slé7e Larry” has shared his knowledge to many generations of students at Chief Atahm School. He has a vast knowledge of the land, cultural skills and technology. Lawrence is also a journeyman carpenter and has taught many of our young people the basic woodworking skills.
Sarah works at Chief Atahm School in curriculum development and as a language teacher at Kyé7e’s House Language Nest. Through her passion for digital art and technology and her skills in language she has produced many e-books and language resources for the school and community. Sarah is currently taking a Bachelor of Secwépemc Language Fluency through UBCO.
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.
Aliana Parker works at the First Peoples’ Cultural Council supporting First Nations community-based language, arts and cultural heritage revitalization. Aliana has a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics focused on Indigenous language revitalization and over 10 years of experience working with and learning from First Nations communities and language leaders. She is a non-Indigenous ally in this work and lives in the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ nation.
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).
Spyu7ellp-t̓e-Sqélecw. is a proud Secwepemc knowledge keeper, musician, and advocate for Indigenous rights. He is deeply connected to his culture and traditions, he uses music as a way to share stories, inspire people, and strengthen community ties. His passion for music spans multiple instruments and styles, blending traditional sounds with contemporary influences. He believes in empowering the next generation to embrace their voices and creativity.
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.
Tisha Tardif (Kenpésq̓t, Secwépemc) has a Secwépemc Language Proficiency Diploma from R Stselxméms r Secwépemc and is currently in the Bachelor’s of Secwepemctsín through SrS/UBCO.She has a deep commitment to preserving Secwépemc language, culture, and identity and is dedicated to revitalizing Secwepemctsín through teaching. She aims to empower future generations and strengthen community connections through language.
James is a Language Program Coordinator with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council. He trained as a linguist and has worked with a number of BC First Nations on documentation, language resource development, and capacity building. He currently lives in Victoria with his wife and two sons.
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.
ʔazə́tkʷuʔ Suzanne Washington is Nɬeʔképmux from the community of nwéyc (Nooaitch). She provides strengths-based coaching for language nests in BC. Suzanne knows how challenging it can be to provide an immersive environment, being a Nɬeʔképmxcín learner herself. She values the hard work it takes to provide an immersive environment and feels fortunate to be able to work alongside language nest programs to connect children to their language and culture.
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.