In the last year, the ACS Truth and Reconciliation team has been working on an initiative called the Elders in Residence Program. We are excited that this program can help us begin taking some important steps towards building connections with our Indigenous neighbours. The vision behind this program is to help root our school community in relationship with Indigenous people so that we can walk the road of truth and reconciliation from a place of being known by and to Indigenous people.
Truth and reconciliation is not a neutral idea for our community; it is filled with a range of ideas and opinions that, at times, reveals a lack of connection with Indigenous people and culture. Through the Elders in Residence Program, we invite our staff, students, and elders to consider: What can we do together? What can we learn and explore together? What knowledge can we share with one another?
MEET ACS’ ELDERS IN RESIDENCE
Our Indigenous Elders are two wonderful Christian women that already have some connection with members of our school community. They attend the Native Pentecostal Church in Vancouver where they connected with Julie Russell (grade 8 teacher) years ago. Julie has invited them to our spaces (fall community BBQ’s and POL Night) which is where they were introduced to others from our community.
Sylvia Pootlass
Sylvia wants everyone to know that she loves Jesus. She was born in Duncan on Vancouver Island and later moved to Bella Coola when she married her husband, Kevin Pootlass. Sylvia and Kevin have three children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She currently lives in Surrey with her husband and some of her grandchildren. Twice a week, Sylvia takes the long bus ride to UBC where she has worked since 1998. She enjoys crocheting, knitting, traveling, and photography. She also enjoys a good cup of coffee. An interesting fact about Sylvia is that she is part Irish. Her favorite Bible verse is Joshua 24: 15, which says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Sandra Pootlass
Sandra is known for regularly proclaiming Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She loves Jesus, Bible study, and laughing. Born in Lytton, Sandra married and moved to Bella Coola; this is where she met her sister-in-law, Sylvia Pootlass. Though Sandra now lives in Vancouver, she returns most summers to Bella Coola to smoke salmon. She enjoys canning, sewing, and listening to worship music. Though Sandra lost most of her native language after attendance at day schools, she is starting to remember and learn words from her first language. “Gooks-jam,” she says. This means thank you in her language.
As with all volunteers, Sandra and Sylvia have completed all the required volunteer forms and we are excited to welcome them here at ACS throughout the year.