Join host Mike Glendale as he delves into the world of Indigenous governance in British Columbia, Canada. In this episode, Lou Anne Neel, a member of the Da’naxda’xw First Nation, shares her firsthand experience in the process of creating a new governance code for her nation and the challenges they faced. From the impact of the custom code to the role of UNDRIP, Lou Anne provides insights on how to achieve true sovereignty for Indigenous peoples. Don't miss this enlightening episode of Raven's Call, a podcast about Indigenous culture, politics and contemporary issues.
Bio - Lou Anne Neel
My English name is Lou-ann Neel, and I am a descendant of the Mamalillikulla, Da’nax’daxw, Ma’amtagila, ‘Namgis and Kwagiulth tribes of the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwak’wala-speaking people). In my home territory, the Kwak’wala names I carry are K’iditle’logw; Ika’wega and Ga’axstalas. I have been designing and creating original design works for over 30 years; working first in wood carving and original painted designs and moving on to work in textiles and jewelry design. My work is greatly influenced by the work of my grandmother, Ellen Neel (Kakasolas) and my great, great grandfather, Charlie James (Yakuglas), and I consider it a great honor to be able to continue the artistic traditions of my family. In my other work, I am an arts administrator with over 25 years' experience managing arts, culture and language programs, grant / proposal writing, special event management, and community development. My Kwak’wala names are Ika’wega, Kiditle’logw, and Ga’astalaas, and I am from the Mamalillikulla, Ma’amtagila, ‘Namgis, Kwickwasutaineuk and Kwagiulth tribes of the Kwakwaka’wakw people (Kwak’wala-speaking people).
Alert Bay is my original home and I grew up in Victoria, BC. I first learned to design in our Kwakwaka’wakw style in junior high school, about grade 8, and I continue my life-long journey to learn and create works in this unique style.
My father was John Edward (Ted) Neel Jr., and was the second oldest son of my grandmother, Ellen Ka’kasolas Neel (the only Native woman carver of her era). My grandfather, Edward Lyle Neel was of Irish descent. My great-grandfather was Charlie Yakuglas James, a master carver who taught my grandmother to carve and was also a mentor to his step-son, Mungo Nakapenkum Martin.
It is truly an honor to be able to do this style of work, so I honor our traditions by creating regalia and other works that are specifically for our traditional potlatch ceremonies; but I also create contemporary works to reflect how I see the world as a Kwakwaka’wakw woman.
Follow the link to find, support, or connect with Lou Anne Neel: https://twitter.com/LouannNeel1?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor