ELDER ADVISORY COUNCIL

Tsilixw William James is the Hereditary Chief of Lummi Nation.  He is our respected siam, our respected elder.  He guides the work of Whiteswan Environmental, WE.  If it wasn't for Tsilixw's teachings and guidance, none of this work would have manifested.  WE are eternally grateful to Tsilixw.  

 Sasayatha Mary Wagner was born in a longhouse in WSANEC Nation, BC.  She traveled and lived in the San Juan Islands when she was a little girl with her dad.  She travels with our youth and community and generously shares her wisdom.  WE are forever grateful to Sasayatha.

 J,SIṈSET (STOLȻEȽ) John Elliott is a respected Elder of the W̱SÁNEĆ  Nation and has taught at ȽÁU,WELṈEW Tribal School in Saanich for over 30 years.  

​​He co-founded FirstVoices, and teaches evenings at Camosun College.   

​J,SIṈSET (STOLȻEȽ) received two honorary PhDs for carrying his father's legacy work forward to preserve the SENĆOŦEN language. 

His father David Elliott wanted his children to remember who they are and where they come from  and to remember their inherent birth rights to the land, water, salmon, reef-net and language that belongs to it.

STOLȻEȽ is the name of Friday Harbor in San Juan Island and his grandma testified his father was born in Mitchell Bay on San Juan Island. 

The Reef Net Captain
storyboard that now stands in PKAEWEL, English Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park was designed by STOLȻEȽ and carved by his brother TEMOSEN, Charles Elliott.