SPOȽTENOT Lavina (Lee) Charles

SENĆOŦEN language holder, respected Elder and teacher, SPOȽTENOT Lavina Charles is widely known as “Grandma Lee” to children in the W̱SÁNEĆ communities. In her work with School District 62, Lee has facilitated intercultural understanding for children and taught them the SENĆOŦEN language. As one of the few fluent speakers of SENĆOŦEN, her teachings help revitalize her first language amongst future generations.  

Lee is a member of the Heron Peoples Circle Elders at Royal Roads University. Her guidance and support shines in her connection with RRU students. Over the years, Lee would meet with students seeking the support of an Elder, talk with students about their research projects and visit classrooms as a guest speaker. Her warm friendship and wise counsel are cherished by the campus community. Lee’s support as an advisor for RRU Indigenous Education and Student Services have had a tremendous positive impact on the student experience at the university. 

A survivor of Indian Day School, Lee advocated for the abolition of forced attendance at day and residential schools, and an end to segregation of Indigenous children from public school. Lee’s eldest daughter, the late Nadine TEȺȽIE Charles was the first person from the Scia’new First Nation to attend public school.  

Lee and her late husband Burt XEMXIMELEḴ Charles, have six children, nineteen grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren. Throughout their sixty-eight years together the couple contributed immensely to community improvements and supports, always with future generations in mind including establishing a summer camp for Indigenous youth focused on connecting with the land, engaging with their culture and instilling pride in their heritage. 

Lee is a respected knowledge keeper whose life of service to her community and youth inspires others to have a positive impact on the world.