A Journey Rooted in Collaboration and Culture: Reflections on the Kwagu’ł Ikila’as Sinat
- Jean Bell
- Jan 27
- 5 min read
The Kwagu’ł Ikila’as Sinat (Kwakiutl Health & Wellness Plan) is more than just a health plan—it’s a living document, deeply rooted in our community’s culture, language, and vision for wellness. Over the past few years, we have walked this journey together, listening to one another, honouring our teachings, and weaving our collective wisdom into a plan that will guide us for generations to come.
As we celebrate its unveiling, I reflect on the milestones, challenges, and deep gratitude I hold for those who made this possible.
Planting the Roots: Where It All Began
This journey began in 2013, when the Kwakiutl Health Centre separated from the Kwakiutl District Council, marking the start of our independent approach to health services. Over time, it became clear that we needed a health and wellness plan grounded in the voices and needs of our people.
In July 2021, I had the honour of joining this project as the Health Researcher, taking on the responsibility of leading its development. However, this was never an individual effort—it was a journey shaped by our Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and the Health Advisory Working Group.
But creating a meaningful health plan isn’t just about research—it’s about listening. To ensure this plan truly reflected the voices of the Kwagu’ł people, we engaged in deep, ongoing community conversations.
Building the Trunk: Community Engagements
The foundation of this plan was built through nine engagement sessions with over 100 community members. Each step brought us closer to creating a document that was truly reflective of our people:
📅 August 18–19, 2021: Our first Community Engagement & Elders’ Brunch laid the foundation, gathering initial insights through surveys, questionnaires, and open discussions. Though small due to COVID-19, these sessions were powerful, attended by many loved ones whose wisdom we still cherish today.
📅 October 5-6, 2021: A World Café event brought together 14 community members, employees, and Urban Matters partners to exchange ideas in an intimate setting. The following day, a Youth Engagement was hosted to ensure younger voices were included.
📅 March 23, 2022 – March 10, 2023: Over three Language Engagement sessions, we worked closely with Sara Child and our Elders to weave Kwak̓wala into the plan. These gatherings ensured that our language remained at the heart of our wellness strategy.
📅 Surveys & One-on-One Engagements: To reach as many community members as possible, we gathered feedback through one-on-one interviews and Kitchen Table Talks—a creative way for families to engage in meaningful conversations about health.
These moments were not just about gathering information; they were about ensuring that every voice mattered. The photos below highlight key moments from our journey, including the First Community Engagement, the World Café, the first Language Engagements, and the early stages of writing the Health Plan.
Shaping the Canopy: Drafting and Finalizing the Plan
Once we gathered our insights, the real challenge began—turning community voices into a structured, actionable plan.
With the invaluable guidance of Sara Child, we worked to reorganize and refine the structure so it felt more natural and meaningful. Our May 2023 meeting with Urban Matters marked a turning point, where we shifted the plan into a storytelling format, aligning it with our traditional ways of understanding and passing down knowledge.
Over the following months, we worked with Urban Matters and Urban Systems’ Design Teams to bring the visuals to life. A special moment for me was collaborating on the Teaching Tree and map on Page 8, integrating cultural and geographic significance into the plan.
By March 2024, the final refinements were made. As we stand here today in Winter 2025, I am proud to say this document represents not only our past but also our vision for the future.
A Living Document for Future Generations
The Kwagu’ł Ikila’as Sinat transcends being just a roadmap—it stands as a testament to our shared resilience, a declaration of our cultural values, and a commitment to holistic wellness.
Grounded in the metaphor of the Teaching Tree, this plan highlights the interconnectedness of:
🌱 Roots: The wisdom of our ancestors.
🌳 Trunk: Our strength in unity and interdependence.
🍃 Canopy: The continuous growth and adaptation of our people.
It encourages us to:
🧡 Iksta̱kwa̱n’s – uplift one another.
💙 A’ax̱silap̓a – care for one another.
💚 Maya’xa̱la – respect one another.
As we embark on implementing this plan over the next five years, I am filled with gratitude for everyone who contributed to this journey. Together, we have created something that will nourish our community for generations to come.
Personal Reflections & Thank Yous
The Health Plan was a long journey, but it was also the best journey I could take. I learned so much from the community and was continuously amazed by the power of collaboration when we truly listen to one another.
Key Contributors
💛 Marie Hunt – For hiring me in July 2021 and trusting me to lead this project.
💙 Sara Child – For your vision, guidance, and ensuring this plan reflected our language and values.
💚 Chelsea & Caitlin – For your creativity and dedication to making this plan sustainable and meaningful.
The Urban Matters Team
Julianne & Isha – For your unwavering support in the early stages.
Sarah – For stepping in after Julianne’s leave and continuing to support us.
Rhia (Urban Systems) – For capturing our watercolour vision and helping design our final graphics.
Special Acknowledgments
🌟 Sarah Tokarski & Mildred Child – To two special ladies who have since passed in my journey to this final stage, I thank you. Sarah, you attended every engagement, guided me through the process of learning and understanding, and helped me discover more about my own family. Middy, your humour and warmth brought light to every conversation. You were not only a joy to engage with but also gave me two of the most important people in this journey. I will forever cherish your kindness and wisdom.
💫 Nadine Pluzak – For organizing the Graphic Recording Course that started my digital art journey and helped Chelsea and me in our own artistic growth.
📷 John Morris – For allowing me to share these beautiful photos that helped bridge our past with our present.
🌱 Mervyn Child & Matt Ambers – For guiding me through Kwagu’ł place names and Kwak̓wala spelling corrections. Amongst the many other Ni’nox̱sola who started this journey, your knowledge helped ensure this plan stayed true to its roots.
And to every single person who contributed to this journey—G̱ilakas’la.
G̱ilakas’la: We Are Grateful
This experience has reaffirmed the power of active listening, collaboration, and cultural integrity. The Kwagu’ł Ikila’as Sinat is not just a document—it is a movement, a commitment, and a reflection of who we are.
As we move forward, let’s carry this vision with us—not just as a plan, but as a way of life.
💚 Together, we will uplift (Iksta̱kwa̱n’s), care (A’ax̱silap̓a), and respect (Maya’xa̱la) one another.
Let’s continue to walk well through life—together.
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