The Digital Pedagogy Lab will take place in a region that overlaps with the unceded traditional and ancestral First Nations territories of the xwməθkwəyə̓ (Musqueam), qi̓ cə̓ y̓ (Katzie), SEMYOME (Semiahmoo), scə̓ waθən (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), and kwikwəƛ̓ə̓ m (Kwikwetlem); and with the lands of the qw̓ ɑ:nƛ̓ə̓ n̓ (Kwantlen First Nation), which gifted its name to Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Lekeyten is a respected Kwantlen elder. His name ‘Lekeyten’ has been passed down through his fathers’ family. It means the keeper of the house posts. He feels that he was not yet ready for his name when it was given to him as a young man but since then he has earned and honoured its sacredness and responsibility to his community.
He grew up in his father’s territory, living off and respecting the land with his family. He and some of his sibling even rescued and raised two bear cubs. When he was 18, he moved to Kwantlen, which is his mother’s traditional territory. It was shocking to move to such an urban community.
Lekeyten worked in logging for 19 years and then 18 years with heavy duty machinery to support his family. Serendipitously, he was forced to take a break from work because of some health issues and this led him to reconnect with his culture and land. He travelled with his father, truly claiming and honouring his name, land and culture.
Now Lekeyten is truly in touch with his community and land. He is a deep well of information and knows the history of his people and land. He also knows the injustices of colonization. He has experienced racism in fort Langley, whether it be being refused a job or bullying. He is very passionate and there is no doubt that he will stand up for his people and community.
Lekeyten loves his ten grandchildren very much. “For them we must honour the land,” he said with a grin.