Khelsilem facts for kids

Khelsilem Tl'aḵwasiḵ̓an Sxwchálten, also known as Dustin Rivers, was born on July 19, 1989. He is an Indigenous Canadian politician and a leader for First Nations people in British Columbia. He is a councillor for the Squamish Nation Council.

Khelsilem was the youngest councillor elected in 2017. He received the most votes and was chosen as one of two official spokespersons for the Squamish Nation Council. He works on many important committees, including those for money, how the government is run, and projects for the future. He also helps with climate action. Khelsilem has often spoken out about big energy projects like LNG and the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion. Because of his influence, Vancouver Magazine recognized him as one of the most powerful people in the city in both 2018 and 2019.

About Khelsilem

Khelsilem is from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people on both his mother's and father's sides. He is also from the Kwakwaka’wakw people on his mother's side. He grew up in Squamish Nation communities in North Vancouver, British Columbia. These communities are known as Eslhá7an and Xwmelch'stn. Today, he lives in the city of Vancouver.

He went to Carson Graham Secondary School. Later, he studied Applied Linguistics at Simon Fraser University. Before becoming a politician, Khelsilem worked as a graphic designer and artist. Some of his art was even shown at the Vancouver Mural Fest.

Bringing Back the Squamish Language

Khelsilem learned to speak the Squamish language as an adult and is now fluent. In 2014, he gave a presentation about his efforts to help the Squamish language grow stronger. In 2015, he started a non-profit group called Kwi Awt Stelmexw. This group focuses on art and education. Its main goal is to bring back the Squamish language and culture.

In 2016, Khelsilem helped create a special language program with Simon Fraser University. This program teaches the Squamish language to Squamish people through immersion, meaning students are surrounded by the language. He taught in this program for two years before he was elected to the Squamish Nation Council.

Khelsilem's Political Work

In the 2017 Squamish Nation Election, Khelsilem led a campaign called 'the New Nine'. The goal was to elect nine new candidates to the Squamish Nation Council. Out of these nine candidates, eight were successfully elected.

As a Councillor, Khelsilem has been involved in many important projects. He helped develop a non-profit housing society to create homes for people. He also worked on a big transportation project for the North Shore. One major project he's involved with is building new homes on the Squamish Nation's Senakw lands. These lands are also known as the Kitsilano Reserve, located near the Burrard Street Bridge.

Khelsilem has talked about how important it is for Indigenous communities to have control over their own resources. This control helps them support their community's needs and interests. He has highlighted the Squamish Nation's success in building rental housing for their people.