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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Ferrin Yola Willie

Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Topic

Wixan’s Wi’la K’ak’ut’łap’a: let’s learn together! The beautiful chaos of family learning in ancestral language reclaimation

Department of Indigenous Education

Date & location

  • Monday, April 13, 2026

  • 9:00 A.M.

  • MacLaurin Building, Room D282

  • & Virtual Defence

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

  • Dr. Onowa McIvor Whitinui, Department of Indigenous Education, UVic (Co-Supervisor)

  • Dr. Ewa Czaykowska-Higgins, Department of Indigenous Education, UVic (Co-Supervisor)

  • Dr. Jean-Paul Restoule, Department of Indigenous Education, UVic (Member)

  • Dr. Daisy Rosenblum, Department of Anthropology, UBC (Outside Member) 

External Examiner

  • Dr. Andrea Sterzuk, Faculty of Education, University of Regina 

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Adam Werle, School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures, UVic

     

Abstract

‘Masi’da sinat (what is the purpose)? The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the journey of learning and reclaiming ancestral language as a household family. 

 Gwayi’le’las (our Bak’wam ways of doing things) - The methodology used in this research was a study of myself in collaboration with yudaxwan sasam (my three children) focusing on k’at’ła (6) years of a simultaneous active Bakwamkala learning during my PhD program from 2019 to 2025. My work is an honoring of Kwakwaka’wakw ways of being and utilizing autoethnography, storying and storywork. I follow the Tsepila (ceremonial dance apron making process) as a framework for this dissertation and align each step with Bakwamkala concepts that encompass my research topics. This includes: 1) building a foundational base (Alixwala – preparing to leave on a journey), 2) Ties connecting Tsep to łi'laxwala (loved ones) - (Łaxwe'gila - gathering strength), 3) design related to family story (Kakutła'pa (learning together) and Sanala (to be whole), 4) personalized adornments (buttons, beads, bells etc. (Ugwakała - different), and 5) use of the Tsep in ceremony (Hase Gaxan – love gift/breath of life). I have also included: ginamida ki’katamakw (many photos), sapila’bidu (small movies/videos), dedications to each of xan sasam (my children) and the creation of ceremonial items as part of this research process.

K’axdan (I found). Key findings/highlights - Despite the various challenges in learning and reclaiming an endangered coastal language it has proven to be an incredibly restorative experience for myself. While the longer-term impacts for xan sasam remain to be seen, there are benefits already showing through xan sasam and experienced by myself and others connected to this research. The biggest of these are the intergenerational healing benefits of reclaiming xan’s Bakwamkala.

Lutsamd (to uncover something). Implications - based on this research, I observed and experienced the undertaking of reclaiming ancestral language as a worthwhile endeavour with many benefits for a family to learn collaboratively. It is the greatest source of łaxwagila (strength gathering) I have experienced in my lifetime. I hope this research will contribute to the restoration and collective wellness of our nation and other Indigenous people and their languages. 

Łaxwala’pa łi’łaxwal – love each other loved ones.

 

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