The uplifting true story of Elizabeth
Quocksister, a strong Indigenous woman and community leader, who
dedicated her life to protecting her language and cultural traditions.
Elizabeth
Quocksister (1925–81) had many roles in her life. She was a cultural
teacher, a community leader, a dancer, a nurse, a photographer, a
residential school survivor, and a mother of ten. Born on the
Da’naxda’xw Nation on Knight Inlet on the central coast of British
Columbia, Elizabeth spoke fluent Kwak’wala and proudly celebrated her
Kwakwaka’wakw culture at a time when the Canadian government actively
discouraged Indigenous traditions and the speaking of Indigenous
languages. She cared for community members in need and saved many
children from the horrors of residential school. She chronicled the
daily lives, important events, and changing times of her community
through photography—preserving her people’s history and culture for
future generations. This inspiring picture book is a beautiful tribute
to a proud Indigenous woman whose name deserves to be well-known
throughout her community and beyond.
