Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ History Presentation with Dr. Diedre Cullon

Dr. Deidre Cullon, PhD, is an anthropologist who has worked with First Nations in British Columbia for 30 years.

Her PhD work, completed in 2018, focused on myriad relationships in the Liğwiłdaxw enlivened world in which multiple beings bring meaning and understanding to life. Through exploration of Liğwiłdaxw ontology, she engaged with the theoretical concepts of animism, historical ecology and political ecology, in what she calls “relational ecology.” Working with Liğwiłdaxw Elders and anthropological texts, she examined the divide between the relational world and what Western ontology considers a natural resource: fish.

In this ethnographic and ethnohistorical account of the relationship between Liğwiłdaxw people and fish, she grappled with the question of how, within a framework of ontological difference, foundations of Indigenous rights can be better understood and how we can promote ways to respect and give agency to multiple forms of knowledge in practice.

In addition to her PhD work, Deidre works with First Nations in BC to support understanding and recognition of rights and title. This includes researching and writing ethnohistory reports, working with Elders and knowledge holders, conducting archaeological field work and sharing the results of this research with the First Nation community, local governments, educators, government decision makers, resource tenure and license holders and others.

Deidre has worked with the Liğwiłdaxw community since 1997. Supporting the collection of “traditional use,” genealogical information, and historical documents, Deidre began to write the Liğwiłdağ ethnohistory report many years ago. As more information is gathered, the report evolves.

Today, the Liğwiłdaxw Nations are happy to share the most recent information and key parts of the ethnohistory as they seek to build stronger relationships and understandings with the local community.