I am sχɬemtəna:t / Audrey Siegl.
My mother’s family is from Musqueam. My job is to speak for those who can not speak for themselves and to represent for my ancestors…to carry on their work. I am proud to use my language, songs and truth to open hearts and minds so we can all re-connect and create better days for all.
nə́c̓amət tə šxʷqʷeləwən ct
We are of one heart and mind
Until recently Audrey Siegl (ancestral name sχɬemtəna:t) lived in East Van, where she was raised by a single father of East Indian and British heritage, and by her mother’s Musqueam family. In recent years she has moved back to the Musqueam Indian Reserve in a process of reconnecting with maternal and ancestral ties, where she has worked in the Musqueam Language and Culture Department to revitalize hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language.
She currently lives and works on the reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River, where she gives tours of the cultural pavilion and gallery, as well as the Chinese market gardens. The reserve is a beautiful but very small portion of traditional Musqueam territory. In recent years Audrey has been an active in the Idle No More movement. She was also involved in organizing the protection of c̓əsnaʔəm (Marpole Midden) in 2012, and most recently the homeless Tent City in Oppenheimer Park.
