Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being

Indigenous Ways
of Knowing and Being

amawílc – come back to life 

Tanina Williams of amawílc

Why amawílc?

Amawilc brings Indigenous ways of knowing and being to the classroom and the boardroom. Through workshops built around sharing circles, hand-crafts, and storytelling, we bring opportunity to create awareness, understanding, respect and together-ness between indigenous and non-indigenous cultures.

Services

Classroom

N

Live in classroom or virtual workshops for grades K-12.

N

Workshops are custom built and range from 2 hours to multi-day experiences.

N

Workshops are customized to meet the goals of the teacher and curriculum, and include teachings and discussions brought out during the practice of sharing circles, hand-crafts (wool weaving, drum making, leather work, jewelry making, plant collection) and/or storytelling.

Teachers

N

Live or virtual workshops for K-12 teachers

N

Workshops are custom built and range from 1 – 3 hours

N

Workshops are customized to meet the goals of teachers and schools

N

Workshops focus on how to bring indigenous ways of knowing and being to the classroom, Q&A opportunity around best practices, and the power of implementing sharing circles.

Corporate

N

Live on location or virtual workshops for small to large corporate groups.

N

Workshops are custom built and range from 2 – 4 hours per session.

N

Workshops are customized to meet the reconciliation goals of the business, and include teachings and discussions brought out during the practice of sharing circles, storytelling, and traditional gift giving.

About

Entas Tanina Williams

I’m from Lil’wat Nation and the Mountain that I see from my door is Ts’zil, Mount Currie, BC. I spent many days learning from my Grandmother’s Adelina and Rosie. Both were amazing storytellers. They knew that culture would save me.

My Grandma Rosie always used her hands and arms while telling a story. She had great facial expressions. I loved to watch her actions.

My Grandma Adelina would say things in stories that would embarrass you.She loved to get reactions from the people. To this day I don’t say the things the way she would have said them.

My Parents Ha7ya father/friend to all and Saopalaz mom/utilizer. My dad who is a teacher/rancher/pro bull rider is also an amazing storyteller and a fluent Ucwalmicwts speaker My mom knows plant medicine and makes crafts with cedar and leather.

I’ve been blessed to learn from them. They started me on a path to be a healer of our people and a healer of the broken relationship we have with Canada.I am a life long learner and love to share my learning with others. I’m a storyteller, wool weaver, drum maker, carver, and capable of producing leather clothing, cedar clothing, cedar work, circle protocol and proud bannok maker.

Testimonials

Tanina Williams is a strong positive role model for my children. Having moved to Canada from the United Kingdom in 2014, my kids age 7, 9 and 12 have been in the Canadian education system for the past 5 years. I feel they have been given an authentic and valuable insight into indigenous ways of knowing and being through Tanina’s fun and insightful sessions. The children talk fondly about “Tanina time” where they embark on learning a new language and embracing a foreign culture. I have been heartened at how Tanina has tackled tough subjects with honesty and empathy. She has given my children an understanding of the atrocities and suffering that has been endured by Indigenous people of Canada, and a context of how to challenge social and racial inequalities and work together to initiate change. I am very grateful to have Tanina in our community and contributing to our education.

Claire Fuller

Tanina is a generous teacher to anyone who is wanting to be a better ally but doesn’t know where to begin and is afraid of making a mistake. She has a great and genuine gift for meeting people where they’re at. When we connect, we connect as two human beings, and that gives us a platform to then explore what it’s like to be in one another’s particular shoes and how we can have better understanding. As a mother, I’m so grateful for her devotion and affection for kids, and her willingness to share her culture, teachings and stories with students up and down the Sea to Sky corridor.

Lisa Richardson
I have worked with Tanina professionally for 8 years on the Southern Stl’atl’imx Literacy Committee. I have consistently seen Tanina plan and deliver workshops that meet the needs and outcomes of the group.
 
I value working with Tanina because her teachings are:
  • Accessible
  • Relevant
  • Full of joy and laughter
 
Tanina is a leader working on Truth and Reconciliation. Her activities are fun and accessible, so they can help anyone learn more about First Nations history and culture. Tanina is a bridge between indigenous teachings and the modern world. Her stories are meaningful because the lessons are relevant today. Tanina combines joy and laughter, with honesty. She stands firm in the truths of First Nations history, and offers a way forward through her gentle directness.
 
I feel proud to not only call Tanina a colleague, but also a good friend.
 Erin Stewart Elliot – Faculty & Program Manager Capilano University
 

Testimonials

Tanina Williams is a strong positive role model for my children. Having moved to Canada from the United Kingdom in 2014, my kids age 7, 9 and 12 have been in the Canadian education system for the past 5 years. I feel they have been given an authentic and valuable insight into indigenous ways of knowing and being through Tanina’s fun and insightful sessions. The children talk fondly about “Tanina time” where they embark on learning a new language and embracing a foreign culture. I have been heartened at how Tanina has tackled tough subjects with honesty and empathy. She has given my children an understanding of the atrocities and suffering that has been endured by Indigenous people of Canada, and a context of how to challenge social and racial inequalities and work together to initiate change. I am very grateful to have Tanina in our community and contributing to our education.

Claire Fuller

Tanina is a generous teacher to anyone who is wanting to be a better ally but doesn’t know where to begin and is afraid of making a mistake. She has a great and genuine gift for meeting people where they’re at. When we connect, we connect as two human beings, and that gives us a platform to then explore what it’s like to be in one another’s particular shoes and how we can have better understanding. As a mother, I’m so grateful for her devotion and affection for kids, and her willingness to share her culture, teachings and stories with students up and down the Sea to Sky corridor.

Lisa Richardson
I have worked with Tanina professionally for 8 years on the Southern Stl’atl’imx Literacy Committee. I have consistently seen Tanina plan and deliver workshops that meet the needs and outcomes of the group.
 
I value working with Tanina because her teachings are:
  • Accessible
  • Relevant
  • Full of joy and laughter
 
Tanina is a leader working on Truth and Reconciliation. Her activities are fun and accessible, so they can help anyone learn more about First Nations history and culture. Tanina is a bridge between indigenous teachings and the modern world. Her stories are meaningful because the lessons are relevant today. Tanina combines joy and laughter, with honesty. She stands firm in the truths of First Nations history, and offers a way forward through her gentle directness.
 
I feel proud to not only call Tanina a colleague, but also a good friend.
 Erin Stewart Elliot – Faculty & Program Manager Capilano University
 

Interested? Connect with us today!

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