Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Lekeyten’s journey as the university’s Elder in Residence.
Lekeyten, of Kwantlen First Nation, was welcomed into the role in 2015 when KPU first established its Elder-in-Residence program, but it wasn’t always something he saw himself doing. After nearly four decades working in logging and with heavy duty machinery, and a short stint in retirement, this role paved a new chapter in his legacy.
“This was something I had never done before and it was something so new to my life,” he says. “Now, 10 years have gone by with the snap of a finger, and it’s been a hoot.
“Sometimes when I leave here by the end of the day, I feel like I don’t feel the ground I’m walking on.”
Keeper of the house posts
Lekeyten’s name, which was passed onto him by his father in 1993, means “keeper of the house posts.” Often carved from cedar, house posts are typically found inside longhouses and represent a family’s history and stories.
In an effort to assimilate Indigenous peoples, the Canadian government implemented policies that aimed to erase Indigenous history, language, cultural practices and more. True to his name, Lekeyten has sought to share this history and culture with students over the past decade.
“Our history was taken and hidden away so no one could read or hear about it,” he says. “It’s been 10 years of identifying the great importance of my relatives in each of B.C.’s First Nations.”
He says it’s something he couldn’t have done without the encouragement of his wife, Cheryl Gabriel.
“We can’t believe people want to hear from us sometimes because we weren't treated so respectfully when we were young,” says Cheryl. “Lekeyten will sometimes question why he’s here and if he’s really valuable in this role, but he carries all of this history and wisdom and it's so important that we learn to respect each other’s words.”
An evolving role
When it was first launched, the primary focus of the Elder-in-Residence program was to support and encourage Indigenous students on their educational journey. Dr. Alan Davis, former President and Vice-Chancellor of KPU, says he saw the role evolve through Lekeyten’s leadership and knowledge over the years.
“Lekeyten’s presence, wisdom and guidance has left a meaningful impact on our entire university community,” says Davis, who first welcomed Lekeyten into the role. “We’re grateful to Lekeyten and the invaluable role he has played in shaping KPU’s journey toward reconciliation.”
By providing cultural context and Indigenous knowledge to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff and faculty, Lekeyten has been instrumental in helping increase cultural competencies and awareness at KPU, says Gayle Bedard, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Leadership at KPU.
“As a Knowledge Keeper, Elder Lekeyten plays a vital role at KPU, serving as the custodian of cultural, spiritual and traditional knowledge,” she says. “Over the years, he has embraced his responsibility to preserve and pass down cultural traditions, languages, ceremonies and stories, ensuring that the knowledge and practices of his ancestors are maintained and respected.”
While guiding and teaching students has remained a goal for Lekeyten, he says his most memorable moments, however, have been in learning from the students themselves.
“What I learn from them is more important than what they learn from me,” he says. “When the Elders get to hear the younger people speak, we want to hear what they have to say and hear what they learned.”
“Never shut up”
Growing up in Sts'ailes Nation (formerly known as Chehalis First Nation) near Harrison Lake, Lekeyten attended Indian Day School, a racially segregated school used by government to assimilate Indigenous children. Unlike Indian Residential Schools, day schools didn’t require students to stay overnight, but the teachings were the same. Many students who attended these schools experienced trauma associated with cultural harms, and in some cases, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of individuals entrusted with their care.
Lekeyten says he and his classmates were taught to be quiet.
His most important lesson for students, he says, is to “never shut up.”
“When I came to KPU, I told the students, ‘If people tell you shut up, that means you have to speak more,’” he says. “Each Elder carries so much pain, and talking about it hurts, but hiding it away doesn’t mean it will leave. It needs to be shared to relieve this pain.”
He adds that bringing more Indigenous voices into the conversation to share the truth about their history is an important step towards healing and reconciliation.
“One of the biggest days that made me feel good about reconciliation was when we raised the Reconciliation Flag at KPU,” he says. “Our people were invited to talk about truth and reconciliation. I see KPU bringing more and more First Nations into the conversation because one person can't do it, it takes communities.”
Cheryl, who is on KPU’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, says reconciliation also means creating spaces to recognize and welcome Indigenous peoples, which is something she’s seen more and more of at KPU over the years.
“Reconciliation is visible in our Indigenous Studies program, our artists and writers in residence and the annual New Moon Gala,” she says. “It’s also our Gathering Place, which honours our existence and gives us a safe and cultural place for all.”
Looking forward, Lekeyten and Cheryl hope to continue seeing the Elder-in-Residence program grow.
“It’s important to listen to Elders because what they say matters,” says Lekeyten.