Programs & Learning

Richard Desautel is a Sn̓ʕ̓ay̓ckstx (Sinixt) Elder, Ceremonial Hunter and enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes. 

He joined the Elders Program in 2022 and has since shared his wealth of traditional knowledge and humour through classroom visits, on-the-land learning and Indigenous gatherings.

Richard is a father, grandfather and US veteran. He continues Sn̓ʕ̓ay̓ckstx cultural practices, such as trapping, hunting, fishing, gathering and the cooking of traditional foods. Richard is also a gifted storyteller, freely sharing personal experiences and oral histories.

Richard is widely known for the 2021 landmark decision from the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Desautel, which affirmed that the Sn̓ʕ̓ay̓ckstx are an Aboriginal Peoples of Canada with a constitutionally protected right to hunt in their traditional territory.

Murhi is of mixed-blood descent, her ancestry is Cree and Swedish. Murhi’s personal belief is that nature is our greatest teacher. If we literally look at a shovel full of grass roots, ones would see a meshing of roots very tough to separate, very strong in its togetherness. 

Murhi believes that we have hope through education, strengthening our cultural identity and building self-esteem through connecting with our histories (grass roots). Indigenous well-being is possible starting with our families, our friends and with social networks within our communities.

Educating each other and our children, growing strong through togetherness, vision, and commitment

Gerry Rempel, who is Métis, was born and raised in the Kootenays. He retired as fire chief for the City of Castlegar in 2017 after 26 years in that position and 44 years in the fire service. 

He continues to volunteer with the fire department as their Chaplain. He is very honoured to be a part of the Elders Program.

Proud Métis woman and kookum (grandma).

Her mother gives her Scottish and Cree ancestry and Swedish from her dad. She was born and raised in Prince Albert, SK. Myrt did not know of her Métis heritage until she was older, but her grandpa used to share stories about the Louis Riel Rebellion in the farm at Birchhills.

She has been married for 62 years, has three children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Myrt is the president of Kootenay South Métis in Trail and loves working with students sharing Métis history and sharing the various styles of jigging.

She moved from Prince Albert to Trail in 1964 with her family. She worked as a travel agent and tour guide for 30 years and that has given her the opportunity to experience different cultures. Myrt is happy to learn about other Indigenous histories, including the crafts that each tribe has shared. 

She is happy to be part of the Elders Program and to help students any way that she can as a teacher and a grandma or kookum (grandma).

Donna Wright is a Métis Elder who identifies as Nehiyawak (Cree)/Métis on her father’s side and Norwegian on her mother’s side.

Connecting with community members and supporting families inspires her and brings her the greatest joy. Donna has volunteered and worked in community for almost 50 years in the human services field. Donna offers a warm and welcoming presence with a good dose of humour. 

If you would like to meet with Donna one-to-one during her days on campus, please stop by the Gathering Place to arrange a time that works for both of you. Everyone is welcome.