My name is Amanda Crocker, I live, work, play and create in Courtenay, B.C. on the beautiful unceded territory of the K’ómoks people (Pentlatch, Eiksan, Sahtloot and Sasitla), the traditional keepers of this land. I have grown up in the Comox Valley and consider it my home. I am one of the Indigenous support workers at Ecole Puntledge Park school, I attended Puntledge Park myself, and hold a special place for this school in my heart. I am so happy and grateful for each year I can return to support the next generation of learners.
I am of English, French, Irish, Scottish and First Nations ancestry. I am Coast Salish and am a member of the Penelakut tribe. My First Nations ancestry comes from my dad who currently resides on Penelakut Island, he grew up on Galiano Island. My mom grew up on Hornby Island.
When I was a young child, my father made me a Dreamcatcher for my bad dreams. He harvested a willow branch and created a hoop, (we come from a commercial fishing family) so he used fishing line to weave a web, added beads and created the most mesmerizing item I own. I have cherished and carried my treasured dreamcatcher with me over the years. I did not grow up immersed in my indigenous culture, so this gift from my dad sparked curiosity and interest in my indigenous background.
This is where I get the passion of designing and creating art. I enjoy sharing my passion for art, designing, beading, painting with others, as well as learning and sharing about the diversity of indigenous cultures and Canadian history. At the same time, learning about myself and my own culture. The students seem to teach me something all the time too.
Gilakas’la! (Welcome and thank you) for learning about me and part of my journey. I look forward to working with your young ones to help pave way for their own journeys.
