Banner image: Weaving by Tsleil-Waututh Member Caitlin Aleck
Overview
The Language, Culture, and Protocol Department at səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) was established to provide leadership in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language revitalization, cultural programming, protocol, relationship building, community engagement, and strategic organizational support.
The Department is led by Director Gabriel George and Deputy Director Michelle George and includes the Language Program, Cultural Program, Protocol Office, and Indian Residential School Survivor Project.
Leadership and Outreach
At the leadership level, Director Gabriel George and Deputy Director Michelle George work collaboratively to provide leadership across all areas of the department while supporting səlilwətaɬ Chief and Council, Executive Leadership, community members, Elders, internal departments, and external partners. Together, they advance organizational priorities through strategic planning, cultural guidance, protocol, relationship building, governance support, and intergovernmental collaboration, ensuring Tsleil-Waututh values remained at the forefront of decision-making.
The Director and Deputy Director also work closely with the Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Executive Leadership Team, Human Resources, Health and Wellness, Community Development, Treaty, Lands and Resources, the TWN siʔáḿθət School, and the Relationships team on a wide range of organizational initiatives.
The Director and Deputy Director strive to strengthen relationships with organizations such as Simon Fraser University, Vancouver Community College, Metro Vancouver, the City of Burnaby, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, local museums, municipalities, and neighbouring First Nations, while supporting repatriation initiatives, cultural protocol, organizational planning, employee and leadership support, and culturally informed decision-making throughout the year.
Language Revitalization
Language revitalization is a central priority. The Language team continues to strengthen opportunities for hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language learning through adult immersion, mentor-apprentice programming, language resource development, and translation services while creating meaningful, culturally grounded opportunities for Members to use language in everyday settings.
These initiatives continue to strengthen the foundation for long-term hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language revitalization while building internal language capacity for future səlilwətaɬ generations.
Cultural Leadership and Community Engagement
The Department provides cultural leadership and protocol support for numerous Nation-led initiatives, community events, and partnership projects throughout the year, ensuring Tsleil-Waututh values, traditions, and protocols remained central to organizational and community activities.
Land-Based Learning, Stewardship and Cultural Heritage
The Department strengthens connections to the land through stewardship initiatives, cultural education, knowledge sharing, and relationship building.
Key initiatives include:
- Collaborating with the Treaty, Lands, and Resources Department on projects such as the Clam Garden project through community participation, traditional knowledge sharing, and cultural teachings;
- Supporting Integrated Resource Work (IRW) cultural initiatives throughout Tsleil-Waututh territory;
- Providing cultural guidance to TWN’s IRSS Committee in support of program planning; and,
- Organizing land-based learning opportunities for Tsleil-Waututh youth, including a cultural learning trip to təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park.
Cultural Heritage, Education, and Partnerships
The Department advances cultural heritage initiatives while strengthening educational partnerships and regional collaboration. This is achieved through activities such as:
- Providing cultural guidance and historical knowledge for park planning, environmental restoration, referrals, cumulative effects work, and other Treaty, Lands and Resources initiatives;
- Supporting educational programming with the Tsleil-Waututh siʔáḿθət School;
- Visiting cultural centres to strengthen relationships and learn from other Indigenous cultural preservation initiatives; and,
- Supporting relationship building with Metro Vancouver, municipalities, government agencies, educational institutions, and Indigenous partners to ensure Tsleil-Waututh perspectives and cultural values were reflected in collaborative projects.
Looking Ahead
As the Language, Culture and Protocol Department continues to grow, the focus remains on strengthening hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language revitalization, expanding cultural programming, advancing cultural heritage and repatriation initiatives, supporting land-based learning, and fostering meaningful partnerships that uphold Tsleil-Waututh values and priorities.
The Department will continue working collaboratively across the organization and with external partners to ensure language, culture, protocol, and traditional knowledge remain integral to governance, community wellness, environmental stewardship, and the Nation’s long-term vision for future generations.