Welcome and congratulations to the new FPCC Board Chair, Kwitelut Carla George.
We want to raise our hands and say welcome to our new FPCC Board Chair, Carla George, Kwitelut i Kwelaw’ikw, Xa’nusa’mega. Kwitelut is a Skwxwu7mesh and Kwakiutl woman. She has lived and worked with her Skwxwu7mesh community for many years, working with children, youth, Elders and in the leadership of various Skwxwu7mesh councils over the past four terms.
She is grateful for all the teachings of her language and culture from many mentors along her journey. Kwitelut is a proud daughter, wife, mother, aunt, niece, cousin and friend to many people in her life whom she’s met during her work, education and life journey.
Kwitelut was previously engaged in FPCC leadership through her role on the FPCC Advisory Committee. She brought community-focused ideas and issues to the attention of FPCC while advising her community on FPCC programs, research and advocacy. We welcome Kwitelut and look forward to the work she will do in the coming years as she serves in her new role.
When reflecting on her new position and the leadership role it comes with, Kwitelut praises the work of those around her and those who came before her at FPCC:
“I am just really grateful to have the opportunity to be the Board Chair for the First Peoples’ Cultural Council. All the people I have worked with have been very helpful. I am grateful that Tracey has such great leadership and has been here for 20 years, for the many Board members for their contributions and the great staff that are doing the work on the ground level. I love to acknowledge people, give credit where it’s due and acknowledge everybody, past and present.”
When asked what about FPCC’s mission is most meaningful to her, Kwitelut emphasizes the importance of ancestral connections that come with revitalization work. She says:
“When I think about the work happening through FPCC and the many communities that are accessing the funds, doing whatever they can to revitalize their culture, their language, arts or music, it is so empowering for each individual community. When we gather, we feel the presence and connection to all our ancestors.”
Kwitelut has big hopes for the future of First Nations languages, arts and cultural revitalization in B.C. and for FPCC, especially with the revitalization efforts in younger generations.
“To me, it’s so empowering to see the next generation engaged in revitalizing our languages, arts and culture…These are the things that are very meaningful when our newborns and language nests can inspire and support our families, the babies, the mums or dads, or whoever may be their language learning right into post-secondary education.”
Together, as we look towards the work ahead, we raise our hands to Kwitelut for her dedication, service and commitment to FPCC and the communities she serves.
Join the FPCC Board or Advisory Committee
Are you interested in contributing to the future of FPCC? We are looking for new members to fill vacant Board of Directors and Advisory Committee roles in select regions around B.C.
The Advisory Committee acts as a bridge to First Nations communities in B.C. It brings community-based ideas and issues to our attention. Committee members advise communities on FPCC programs, research and advocacy. For more information and the list of available positions, click here.
The Board of Directors’ mandate is to govern FPCC’s operations by setting direction and policy, providing leadership to FPCC and advocating on behalf of members. We recommend first learning about FPCC as a member of the Advisory Committee. To view the current Board of Directors posting and application form, click here.
Learn More:
About FPCC
About FPCC Board
Current FPCC Funding Opportunities
This story was developed by Ashley Andrew-Lambert, (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Mowachaht/Muchalaht on her maternal side and Italian on her paternal side). Ashley joined the FPCC Communications team during the summer of 2024 as part of the Indigenous Youth Internship Program.
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