CHARLA HUBER

T’Sou-ke Nation elder Linda Bristol is remembered for sharing culture

Two weeks ago, T’Sou-ke Nation lost one of its elders. The service honouring Linda Bristol drew hundreds of people who came to pay their respects. Bristol was well known for her cultural knowledge and passion to educate others. Colonization, including laws that outlawed cultural ceremonies and separating families through residential schools, has resulted in the loss of culture.

It’s the elders, including Bristol, who play a key role in revitalizing language and culture and passing the torch to the next generation. The responsibility of the elders is to share information with the community and the emerging leaders. It is the work they have been doing for generations.

In my line of work, I am honoured to spend time with many influential Indigenous elders in our region.

Bristol is one of the first elders I worked with when I started working in Indigenous relations. I work in affordable housing, and T’Sou-ke Nation’s chief and council directed me to connect with Bristol regarding a new housing project in Sooke a few years ago.

There’s something special about learning from elders. Bristol took the time to share information about her nation and community with me. She offered me guidance on how we could honour the traditional territory of T’Sou-ke Nation and include the nation in the work. Bristol answered all of my questions and helped me gain a clear understanding.

I was at first nervous to meet Bristol and ask for guidance because I was new to working in Indigenous relations. Even as an Indigenous person myself, I was nervous of making a mistake. Bristol was there to guide me and help me do things respectfully.

Now Indigenous role models and elders go into the schools and teach Indigenous and non-Indigenous students about the past and share their teachings with other community groups, organizations and members of the public. Elders and First Nations representatives are invited to attend community events, conferences and meetings. All of these events help build bridges of understanding between communities.

Part of the cultural revitalizing comes from within the community, and then there is another component, in which the First Nations share information on honouring, acknowledging and including First Nations in things on a regional scale. It’s common for this work to be done by Indigenous elders. In Indigenous relations, it’s an accepted protocol to consult and work with elders.

“Sharing culture and offering leadership was her passion. It was in her core beliefs. Her leadership is an accumulation of what she’d built her entire life around,” said Ardyth Cooper. “She was my closest and dearest friend. We’ve been friends since we were babies. Knowing Linda for her entire life, a constant was her optimistic outlook on life.”

It’s important when people take the time to help others fully understand. Bristol took the time to connect with me on numerous occasions and even invited me to share a meal with members of T’Sou-ke Nation for culture night. She invited my daughter to come, as well.

Bristol was well-known for rolling up her sleeves and being part of community-driven projects, and encouraging others to participate, too.

“She was really engaged in our community,” said T’Sou-ke Nation Chief Gordon Planes, explaining she took the time to educate the community on a variety of issues, including ways each family could save energy. “She was one of our respected elders and she always had her community at heart. It’s going to be a big loss for our community. I am still in shock.”

Bristol always played a large role in her community. She was even chief of T’Sou-ke Nation many years ago.

“Her hands were in so many beautiful things,” said her cousin Charlene George. “She was working hard in the revitalization of our culture.”

Even in this column, Bristol’s family has requested the column be printed without a photo of the elder. Even in her passing Bristol is continuing to teach others about honouring her culture and community.

“It’s out of respect for our culture,” said George. “We don’t show pictures of our loved ones for a period a time.” Charla Huber works in communications and Indigenous relations for M’akola Group of Societies.