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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 harvesting activities on the land.
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.
Allie is a former student at Chief Atahm School and worked for many years as a teaching assistant. Currently Allie is an instructor for Simon Fraser University Language Proficiency Certificate in Secwepemctsín for Eastern Dialect, a joint project between Neskonlith Band and Wumec r Cqweqwelutn-kt Community Society.
Kanerahtokwas, Yakoniáhton (Turtle Clan), Kanyen’kehà:ka, originally from Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, is a First Language speaker in Kanyenkéha. She has been residing in Kenhteke Territory since January 2020, teaching children (ages 3 to 11) and mentoring young adults, to revitalize Kanyenkéha language. Kanerahtokwas has obtained 2 college diplomas and continues to learn about teaching outdoors, encompassing Mother Earth’s natural resources and teaching in the language. She has also been mentoring young adults enrolled in a 2 year full-immersion program. She also teaches culture with the use of the Ohenton Karihwatekwen (Words before all else), that are cited daily at the Kawenna’ónwe school.
Stacey Michel is employed by Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) as the Nłeʔkepmx Dept. Head and Language instructor in their adult fluency program. For over 15 years she had worked at Chief Atahm School as the Nursery/Kindergarten Secwépemc language immersion teacher. She is a master teacher and has developed many creative ways to work on early literacy skills for language learners.
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. Dr. Michel 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.
This Friday morning panel in the gymnasium will consist of teachers, students and community activists explore the challenges and goals for planning and delivery of adult programming. Topics to be discussed will focus on enhancing and improving adult program delivery.
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.