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Gwen Harry - Squamish Nation Elder and Matriarch
On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Squamish Nation matriarch Gwen Harry.
Born Gwen Baker from both the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and the Tla'amin Nation, Gwen has 7 children, 15 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren,
In this deeply personal conversation, Gwen takes us back to her early childhood on the Capilano reserve, a time she remembers as one of freedom where she could walk into any family home. She shares the story of being taken at just five years old to St. Michael’s Residential School in Alert Bay, traveling by boat with strangers to a life of strict separation. Gwen also opens up about her battle with tuberculosis as a teenager, spending over three years in Coqualeetza Hospital, and how she eventually found her footing working there.
Beyond her survival, this is a story of community building. Gwen discusses the grassroots activism of the "Homemakers Club," where mothers banded together to support their children entering public schools and secure grants for the community. She also shares her candid thoughts on how ceremony has changed over the years and the difference between the freedom her children had versus the structured lives of youth today.
This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. We are incredibly grateful to Gwen for sharing her history, her resilience, and her wisdom with us.
Content Warning: This episode discusses topics related to Indian residential schools, tuberculosis hospitals, colonial policies, and the separation of families. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.
This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:
https://iso-bea.ca/
ISO’s Instagram: instagram,com/indigenousscreen
X: https://x.com/screen_office
Facebook: facebook.com/iso.bea
Follow Our Socials
Tiktok: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Our-Storytellers-61551840299922/
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By Our StorytellersOn this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Squamish Nation matriarch Gwen Harry.
Born Gwen Baker from both the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and the Tla'amin Nation, Gwen has 7 children, 15 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren,
In this deeply personal conversation, Gwen takes us back to her early childhood on the Capilano reserve, a time she remembers as one of freedom where she could walk into any family home. She shares the story of being taken at just five years old to St. Michael’s Residential School in Alert Bay, traveling by boat with strangers to a life of strict separation. Gwen also opens up about her battle with tuberculosis as a teenager, spending over three years in Coqualeetza Hospital, and how she eventually found her footing working there.
Beyond her survival, this is a story of community building. Gwen discusses the grassroots activism of the "Homemakers Club," where mothers banded together to support their children entering public schools and secure grants for the community. She also shares her candid thoughts on how ceremony has changed over the years and the difference between the freedom her children had versus the structured lives of youth today.
This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. We are incredibly grateful to Gwen for sharing her history, her resilience, and her wisdom with us.
Content Warning: This episode discusses topics related to Indian residential schools, tuberculosis hospitals, colonial policies, and the separation of families. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.
This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:
https://iso-bea.ca/
ISO’s Instagram: instagram,com/indigenousscreen
X: https://x.com/screen_office
Facebook: facebook.com/iso.bea
Follow Our Socials
Tiktok: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Our-Storytellers-61551840299922/