About the Artist

We would like to acknowledge the artist Fabian Quocksister for the cover logo of the
BC First Nations Coordinators Handbook.

Fabian Quocksister, Dee-Kla-Nala Kwaksistala, was born an Inherent Hereditary Chief of the Laichwiltach Nation in Campbell River, BC. His family name, “Kwaksistala” means, “Smoke around the world.” His given name, “Dee-Kla-Nala” means “Honored one who looks at the Thunder Bird.”

Fabian titled this piece "Guidance."
The image is of a human holding a copper/book that represents wealth and knowledge.
The hawk represents prayers being answered.
The Eagle is bringing the prayers and dreams up to the Great Spirit.
The smoke rising in the distance is a reminder of community and the importance of bringing the knowledge we gain in our studies, back to our communities.

“I would like to thank the Great Spirit for blessing me with the gift of creation. I would also like to thank my mother and father for giving me my blood of the Coast Salish and Laichwiltach Nations. And most respectfully, I would like to thank the Lekwungen People, my motherland, for allowing me to live in their traditional territory.”

Gilakasla!

Fabian Quocksister

Acknowledgements

The following people shared their knowledge and experience to make this project happen:

Coordinators and Advisors
Joanne Stone-Campbell, BC Institute of Technology
Greg Claeys, Royal Roads University
Brenda Crabtree, Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Jeanine Cooper, Secretary, Camosun College
Marlene Erickson, College of New Caledonia
Murphy Greene, North West Community College
Vivian Hermansen, North Island College
Rosalyn Ing, University of British Columbia
Rahal Jalan, Institute of Indigenous Government
Janice Juarez, Simon Fraser University
Roger John, University of Victoria.
Graeme Joseph, University of British Columbia
Robert Kiyoshk, Vancouver Community College
Ruth Kroek, Malaspina University College
Barbara Little, Northern Lights College
Ruth Lyall, Camosun College
Faye Martin, Camosun College
Sandee Mitchell, Project Coordinator
Lyle Mueller, Okanagan University College
Theresa Neel, North Island College
Dave Pearson, Langara College
Dave Seaweed, Douglas College
Marie Scoretz, Malaspina University College
Peggy Shannon, Capilano University
Janice Simcoe, Camosun College
Roberta Stewart, Justice Institute
Sandy Staatis, Vancouver Native Education Center
Fran Tait, Malaspina University College
Sandy Tait, University College of the Fraser Valley
Robyn True, College of the Rockies
Sheila TeHennepe, University of British Columbia
Alan Tremayne, Northern Lights College
Blaine Wiggins, Open Learning Agency
Darlene Willier, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Alannah Young, University of British Columbia

Other Contributors
Jacob Beaton, Coppermoon Productions
Gene Joseph, the Joseph Family
Indian Student Support Program (ISSP)
Mary Longman, University of Victoria, Faculty of Education
Trish Parent, Vancouver Island Regional Métis Management Association
Jeff Smith, Aboriginal Coordinator, Vancouver School District.
Susan Wilson, Camosun College

This project was funded by
The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development: Aboriginal Special Projects Fund.
Copyright 2002 – Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.
Province of British Columbia