Hi friends, my name is Brianna Thorne. I am of mixed Indigenous ancestry with roots from the Quw’utsun Territory in the village of Khenipsen and Lhumlhumults’. Today I am grateful to not only reside in our village but to also work on the lands of historical village at Xwaaqw’um. When asked to write a bio about myself it felt odd given that we are an Indigenous-led organization and as such it is not customary to speak solely of oneself. We make decisions together, plan our work together, carry out our work together, much of all we are and do is done together. In this way, it feels only right to share of our Stqeeye’ family as part of who I am. 

Working with the Stqeeye’ Learning Society has been the highlight of my life. Although formally trained in Education with Dean’s Honour List Distinctions as well as, Mc Gill University’s Executive Certificate Program Emerging Leaders for Sustainable Community Development, working on the land with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Youth have taught me so much more than I ever learnt in a traditional educational setting. Throughout my lifetime I have felt a strong affinity for nature. From the time I was a small child it has been hard to keep me inside. My heart and soul are pulled to be out on the land, tending to, giving back to, and learning from the land, much like the ways of our ancestors. Our Elders share “When we return our youth to land, we are putting a heartbeat back into it” This is a miracle I witness every day. Since we have returned to the land with youth, we have witnessed the return of many plant, animal, insect, and fowl species that were thought to be near extinction. To me, working with Stqeeye’ not only fulfils my lifelong dream of working with youth it also fosters my relationship with the living world through an interconnectedness beyond my wildest imagination. Huy tseep q’u siiem (thank you honoured friends) for taking the time to read more about me.