bios

Toghestiy – Warner Naziel

Toghestiy received much of his cultural training from his late grandparents Madeek and Sa’itne. Their teachings brought him through much of the ancient and unceded landscapes. Many days and nights were spent exploring trails, hunting/trapping areas, fishing sites, campsites, and village sites of his people. Today, Toghestiy takes the responsibilities of being a hereditary chief very seriously. His philosophy is based on the ancient Wet’suwet’en philosophy called “Wiggus”, which requires the highest level of understanding, respect, and humility for absolutely everything. There is no price that will ever compromise his responsibility of ensuring that there is always something for the unborn generations.

Freda Huson – Unis’tot’en Spokesperson

Freda was chosen to be the spokesperson for the Unis’ot’en Clan in 2008, when the Unist’ot’en separated from the tribal organization called the, “Office of the Wet’suwet’en”. Her responsibilities as a spokesperson include holding meetings between her hereditary Clan Chiefs, perform liaison duties with industry and government, coordinate messages for media, and research all aspects of which are brought up for discussion regarding Clan business. Much of her grounding comes from being raised following the seasonal hunting and fishing on her people’s lands and waterways. Some of her responsibilities continue to include planning and coordinating Clan incursions out to their traditional territories. Freda’s guiding philosophy is based on teachings taught to her and her family from her great grandmother, the late Christine Holland (Knedebeas).

Mel Bazil – Gitimt’en Clan

Of both Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Origin, Mel has been born into the Lax Gibuu / Gitimt’en clan and the House of Malii (House of Crazy Man). He is involved in his peoples’ history, as a learner and passionate cultural resurgent. Mel has taken on activism and warriorism as his life’s work in the light that the future generations will also live out their natural laws and Indigenous Laws in a healthy land with clean water. Mel is a father of two and is married to a Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en woman. He is trained as a teacher and provides support services in his employment and works from the premise of decolonization and resurgence of spirituality in his peoples. Being involved in protecting territories and helping his nation rebuild itself out of social and environmental impacts has been the greatest sense of belonging in his life to date!

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