Elder Sidney Douglas is from the Cheam First Nation, where he still lives. His parents had 20 children and he was somewhere in the middle. When he was around seven years he was taken from his big family to residential school, where many of his siblings were taken. He was the last of his family to experience residential school.

Fortunately, his parents were strong on culture. “I was always growing up with the teaching of don’t forget who your relatives are. Because ceremonies were banned and started coming back in the ‘70s, I was able to grow up with a lot of that.”

Sidney was a carpenter apprentice and went on to become a heavy equipment operator and worked in construction for most of his life. He was also on Cheam council for 14 years and Chief for eight years. Until recently he was a spiritual and cultural advisor for archeologists working on the Trans Mountain pipeline.  He has two daughters and one son who passed away. He has five grandsons, one granddaughter, one great grand daughter and two great grandsons.

Sidney is a carver and teaches youth to carve soapstone. He is also working on paddles for the war canoe races. Another one of Sidney’s passions is sports. He coached soccer, lacrosse and baseball for many years and is involved with Xyólheméylh’s Lacrosse camp for youth. In addition to carving and sports, Sidney is also involved in the court systems and family circles. “I like to see families function in a good way,” says Sidney.

Sidney’s advice for social workers is to try and understand the cultural ways. “We had our own ways,” says Sidney. “Often aunts and uncles were the teachers.”

Adara is 18 years old and from the Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan. She has been in care since she was 11. For the last two years she has been with stable foster parents who are Indigenous and describes the situation as “good.” However, for many years things have not always been as stable and she has been in several homes. She does consider herself fortunate that she and her sister were never separated.

Adara has been involved with Visions and Voices since late 2024. She says, “It’s amazing because of the strong connections you make, it’s easy to make friends.”

In Adara’s spare time she likes to shop, watch movies, read and do singing and drumming. She wants to attend post-secondary education and become an artist.

Raven Little, Visions and Voices Youth Coordinator, says of Adara: “Adara has a kind spirit and brings brightness to any room she enters, she makes the group laugh and is always the first to compliment someone else. She is passionate about lifting others up and supporting youth to feel comfortable at events or programs. Although Adara has just recently joined Visions and Voices, it is clear she is already a great addition to the committee and is becoming a strong female Indigenous role model for younger children in care.”

Xyólheméylh has created a web portal for youth which is a safe online space where Indigenous youth can find:

Events and Programs

• Resources and Supports
• Rights while in care
• Housing supports
• Food and clothing resources
• Health services
• Employment services
• Legal Services

Post-Majority Supports

• What changes when you turn 19
• Supports that continue after care
• Housing, education and life supports
• Who to contact for help

Teachings and Learnings

• Elders Corner
• Cultural crafts
• Life skills
• Tutorial vides
• Teachings and cultural knowledge

If you are a caregiver to an Indigenous youth in care, previously in care or receiving Xyólheméylh services, please encourage them to check out the youth portal at: https://youth.fvacfss.ca.