Author

Kelsie Kilawna

Kelsie Kilawna is the former cultural editor and senior aunty at IndigiNews. She brings to us her knowledge and lived experiences from her homelands in the syilx and Secwépemc Nations. Often the language you will see her refer to is the nsyilxcen language of the syilx people in what has been briefly known as the Okanagan. She is now co-owner of Your syilx Sisters where she continues to write and train folks in culturally aware and trauma-informed communication from a sqilx’w perspective.

Kelsie's Latest Articles

syilx students lead Red Dress Day event with powerful calls for change

By Kelsie Kilawna ● News ● May 5, 2023

In ‘Vernon,’ Youth gather to raise awareness for MMIWG2S+: ‘We need a revolution, so we have no choice but to be it’

Community rallies around Skwxwú7mesh mother after viral TikTok video

By Kelsie Kilawna ● Features ● April 5, 2023

Celina Sinisalo set out to help others cope with record-high food inflation — and ended up receiving an outpouring of support and love

Can educational assessments be decolonized?

By Kelsie Kilawna ● First Person ● March 30, 2023

I’ve witnessed how harmful colonial evaluations can be — so I sat down with expert Carolyn Roberts to unpack how we got here, and imagine a better future

An Indigenous woman with long, curly silver hair smiles at the camera in a black top.

Healing through story: sqilx’w author unveils harrowing-but-hopeful memoir

By Kelsie Kilawna ● Arts ● February 8, 2023

Jenelle Brewer’s book ‘RELEASING JEZEBEL: Embracing the Lioness Within’ will be released on April 1 — she hopes sharing her truth will make others feel less alone

Rose petals float on dark water of the lake, over rocks which are visible underneath

In the wake of more colonial violence, a love letter to those who are grieving

By Kelsie Kilawna ● First Person ● October 12, 2022

When the genocidal forces of this country lay their hands on our people it is our collective responsibility to stand up — because we know what happens to one happens to all

A digital image shows a syilx woman in a cedar hat in front of a purple background

The search for Kwemcxenalqs

By Kelsie Kilawna ● Features ● September 30, 2022

After losing their beloved relation, the family wants VPD to come to syilx homelands to apologize for a lack of sensitivity