SPOȽTENOT Lavina (Lee) Charles

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

Lee was a member of the Heron Peoples Circle Elders at Royal Roads University. Her guidance and support shone 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 was cherished by the campus community. Lee’s support as an advisor for RRU Indigenous Education and Student Services 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, had 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 was a respected knowledge keeper whose life of service to her community and youth inspired others to have a positive impact on the world.