H.R. Staff

The Heiltsuk Revitalization Department values all its employees. Our department is very grateful to have such a dynamic and passionate team that uplifts individual strengths and expertise. Together we will achieve our ultimate goal: to create fluent Haíɫzaqvḷa speakers and bring our language back to our way of being once again.

“Our language is a “Ugvmi (God)” given language. It is the language we were born into; it is in our genes and it is the heart of who we are” – H̓ḷagṃ̓iɫ, Frances Brown

H̓ík̓án̓akvḷáṇts – We will rise higher and higher

H̓ḷagṃ̓iɫ - Frances D. Brown

Haíɫzaqvḷa – Initiatives Director – H̓ḷagṃ̓iɫ

Hḷagṃ̓iɫ known as Frances D. Brown is descendent of the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo tribes. Frances’s mother is Láǧax̌náiyax̌ known as Shirley Windsor (nee Mason) of the Qvúkva ̓áitx̌v du Xaíxais tribes. Frances’s late father is Q̓ámas known as Charlie Windsor, of the W̓úyálítx̌v du Y̓ísdáitx̌v tribes. Frances has spent over two decades revitalizing the Heiltsuk language and culture.

Lorena White

Haíɫzaqvḷa – Initiatives Project Manager

My name is Lorena White. I am the daughter of Elizabeth and Taylor Brown who in their own time served our Nation with utmost respect. I was hired in April 2021 as the Haíɫzaqvḷa Revitalization Language EA and in November 2021, I was hired on as the Haíɫzaqvḷa Revitalization Language Assistant Manager.

Jennifer Squash

Executive Assistant

My name is Jennifer Squash, my mother is Nora Humchitt, and my father is Rex Squash. I come from Heiltsuk and Nuxalk Nation, I also come from Kitasoo and Oweekeno Nations. I was born in November 1992 and grew up in Bella Bella BC.

Wák̓idis - Brett Waterfall

H̓ṃbaqas Q̓áq̓áuƛ̓amas – Lead Educator

Waí my name is W̓ák̓idis and I am Haíɫzaqv. W̓ák̓idis is my Haíɫzaqv name given to me by my late grandfather George Housty when he had his last potlatch. My q̓vṃ́siwa name is Brett Waterfall. My parents are John and Pauline Waterfall. Their Haíɫzaqv names are ⅄íkvṃi and Hílístis. My mother is a w̓úmaqs , high ranking woman, through the name given to her by her late grandmother.

Ǧvu̓í - Rory Housty

Q̓áq̓áuƛ̓amas – Educator

Rory is from the N̓úláw̓itx̌v tribe of the Haíɫzaqv and he carries the name Ǧvu̓í which means “raven” in Haíɫzaqvḷa. This is a name that was placed on him in 2015 by his h̓ṇís Ǧviúst̓izas at their family potlatch. The name Ǧvu̓í comes from the N̓úláw̓itx̌v tribe of the Haíɫzaqv. Ǧvu̓í also carries the name Q̓vúq̓vsṃí from the House of C̓uṃ́qḷaqs from Haúy̓at.