K'ilisët Violet Gellenbeck at the Walk to Witset feast, September 2018. BVM visual record collection P984

The board and staff of the Bulkley Valley Museum in Smithers are deeply saddened by the passing of Witsuwit'en matriarch Ts'ake ze' K'ilisët Violet Gellenbeck on Jan. 4.

"Our condolences to all of her family, house, and clan, and to all those deeply feeling this loss," they said.

As was said in her eulogy, "she will be remembered for her dedication to the cause of Indigenous peoples. Over her life, she made countless contributions to advancing Indigenous concerns, including education and employment services, Witsuwit'en language and cultural revitalizations, protection of Indigenous women and girls, and defence of Witsuwit'en yintah."

"We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from K'ilisët," the museum said. "She was an instrumental voice in guiding the development of the Shared Histories research project and book, and the Alhk’ikh Ts’ëdilh (Walking Together) exhibition.

"We are honoured that one small part of her vast legacy will live on through our walls in the exhibition. Her words were always thoughtful, and thought-provoking, and we will continue to be guided by the values she espoused in our work."

She discusses the Shared Histories project, including the book (which won the BCHF historical writing prize) in this article.