Gilakas’la, nugwa’ am Gamutalagalis, Gayutlin’lax Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw. My given name is David Dawson, one of my traditional names is Gamutalagalis, which means “Howling Around The World.” I was born and raised in the beautiful territories of the Pentlatch, E’ Iksan, Sahloot, and Sasitla people, now known as the Komoks First Nation. However, I come from the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw of Kingcome Inlet. I am very grateful to be a part of such a rich culture that displays great respect, love and connectedness through storytelling, songs, and dances. I am part of two different traditional dance groups. I have been on a healing journey for the past seven years. Within this healing journey I have completed an Education Assistant/Community Support Certificate program as well as a Human Services Diploma program. In 2017/18 I worked at Comox Valley Recovery Center as a Peer Counsellor, and 2018/19 as a Ninoxola, (Knowledgeable One), under the Elders in Residence Program at Puntledge Elementary, and 2019 to present as an Indigenous Support Worker at Lake Trail Community Middle School and Nala’atsi Alternate school. With this I bring the gift of experience, strength, and hope. Moreover, I look forward to another year walking along side, supporting, and guiding our young warriors as best as I can throughout their time at Lake Trail Community Middle School and Nala’atsi Alternate
Additional Biography Information
Kwakwaka’wakw – K’ómoks First Nation
Gilakas’la nugwa’am Gamutalagalis. I come from the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Mamalilikulla, Walas, Kwaguil, Namgis, and the We-Wa-Kai of the Kwak’wak’awakw People.
My name is David Dawson and I was born and raised in the Comox Valley and territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. I am very proud to say that my people come from Kingcome Inlet. I have close family connections to the K’ómoks First Nation through my Grandmother Mary Everson who is the daughter of the late Margret Frank (Wilson) of the Walas Kwagiul who Married the late Chief Andy Frank of the K’ómoks First Nation.
I have been blessed and privileged to learn my cultural ways from many mentors in my life such as my uncles Andy Everson of the K’ómoks First Nation and George Taylor of the Tlowitsis First Nation of Turner Island.
I have been a part of two different dance groups, one of them for over 20 years and the other for over 10 years. I continue to learn my cultural ways as I walk this sacred gift of life and freely give what has been freely given to me.
I have been on a healing journey for some time now, and this journey has really allowed me to see the cultural values of LOVE, KINDNESS, RESPECT, and GENEROSITY more clearly. Within this journey, I have implemented these values into all that I do, and I can honestly say, all my successes in life have been based off of these values.
I currently work at Comox Valley Recovery Center as a Peer Counselor in which I have been honored to bring in a cultural link to the healing within the Center. I am on the Indigenous Cultural Presenters List which enables me to go into various schools and share cultural stories through drumming and singing. For the past two summers I have been graced with the opportunity to work with children and families through the partnership of Ministry of Children and Families and the Child Development Association with my role as a culture keeper.
Moreover, the past two summers I have had the opportunity to work with another organization called Whitecrow with my role as a culture keeper.
I have been taught that love is the most powerful medicine and that we can overcome anything in life if we instill that love within. We all have a sacred gift within. Learn with your heart, and lead with love in your heart.
