wáy x̌ast sx̌əlx̌ʕált My name is telxnitkw, (pronunciation) it translates into “Standing by Water” and was given to me on the day I was born. Elaine Alec is a storyteller and training facilitator and CEO of Naqsmist (nux-meest) which translates into “many coming together as one.” She is an expert in Indigenous planning processes and has extensive experience working with Indigenous governance and decision-making and shifting systems and engagement pathways to support self-determination. She is author of “Calling My Spirit Back” and belongs to the syilx (pronunciation) and secwepemc (pronunciation) nations from the southern interior of British Columbia and Washington State and is registered with the Penticton Indian Band where she spent most of her life.