A Fusion of Traditions by Tanya Zilinski
Bio:
Tanya is an Anishinaabe artist, of Aggaamaakwaa Manitoba with family and ancestral ties to Dakota, Cree, Anishinaabe and Huron Wendat Nations throughout Turtle Island's Plains and Great Lakes regions and is Ukrainian on their father’s side. Their medium is traditional Indigenous loom beadwork and the retelling of oral stories through patterns laid out on beadwork tapestries. They were taught to loom bead at 15 years old by an Elder in their community at Chawathil First Nation. In 2020, Tanya developed methods and techniques for creating large loom beaded tapestries as a means to pass down cultural knowledge of both Anishinaabe and Stó:Lo cultures to their children and future generations.
Furthermore, Tanya is connected to the Stó:Lo community in the Tiyt Tribe area through marriage of the last 31 years, children and grandchildren. Tanya has both training and permissions to teach the language and culture of the Upper River Stó:lo people. The process for permission is very strict and has to be authorized by the Stó:Lo Language Authority. Included in this process are one must demonstrate an ability to speak the language, one must have a connection to the area and have a deep understanding of the culture and stories as well as providing proof that one is Indigenous. Therefore, as a certified teacher of Halq’emeylemqel through the BCTF, I have been granted permission from the Stó:Lo Language authority and the community to teach both the language and culture anywhere across British Columbia and Canada.
Tanya is also a student of advanced Upper River Halq’emeylemqel, has earned their Advanced Proficiency Associates Certification in Halq’emeyelm through UFV and is School District 78’s certified Halq’emeylem Teacher, currently teaching 700 students, on S’olh Temexw, the language and culture.