Legends and Teachings of Xeel's, the Creator is the final book by celebrated Indigenous educator Dr. Ellen White. She died in 2018 at the age of ninety-four. White was a cultural knowledge keeper, author, linguist, herbalist, healer, traditional midwife, political activist and advocate who spent her life seeking knowledge and understanding to help peoples and nations better understand themselves and each other. She was invested into the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada for her many accomplishments. Her last book features an exciting collection of short stories: "The Creator and the Flea Lady," "The Boy Who Became a Killer Whale," "The Sockeye that Became a Rainbow" and "The Marriage of the Seagull and the Crow." Each story is accompanied by a discussion piece that provides cultural context and questions for the reader to consider.

Dr. Ellen White, or Kwulasulwut, was a celebrated educator, author, storyteller and medicine woman who believed education is the key to social change and community building. Fittingly, this Snuneymuxw Elder was known as Kwulasulwut, which translates as "many stars." She was raised by her grandmother on a small Gulf Island outside the residential-school-system catchment. She was taught traditional Coast Salish spirituality and medicine and started to learn midwifery at a young age, at a time when other Indigenous children were being separated from their culture.

Ellen Rice White's profile page

Jo-ann Archibald Q’um Q’um Xiiem, PhD, is a member of the Stó:lō First Nation and has kinship in St’at’imc First Nation in British Columbia. Over a 45-year educational career, Q’um Q’um Xiiem has served as a school teacher, curriculum developer, researcher, author, university leader and professor. She is Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia (UBC).

Q’um Q’um Xiiem’s scholarship relates to Indigenous knowledge systems, storywork and oral tradition, transformative education at all levels, Indigenous educational history, teacher and graduate education, and Indigenous methodologies. She is the author of Indigenous Storywork: Educating the Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit as well as many other publications.

In 2018, Q’um Q’um Xiiem was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for her lifelong contributions to advancing Indigenous education in K–12 and post-secondary education through policy, programs, curricula, and research.

Jo-ann Archibald's profile page