Chief Ken Harris

Chief Kenneth Harris (1928-2010) was holder of Simoiget Hagbegwatku and his title translates as the “first born” of our nation. He served on the advisory committee to Prime Minister Trudeau that resisted the famous “White Paper” of 1969. His 1972 book “Visitors who Never Left: The origin of the people of Damelahamid” was published by UBC Press and remains today a wealth of knowledge for the younger generations of his lineage. Originally trained in the RCAF he was a Captain in the army reserves for 30 years. He was an Elder and consultant for numerous First Nations organizations such as the United Native Nations, the Institute for Indigenous Governance, the University of British Columbia and was the Vancouver site coordinator for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

Margaret Harris

Elder Margaret Harris is a respected Cree Elder from northern Manitoba who has lived in Prince Rupert and Vancouver throughout her adult life. As the wife of Simoiget Hagbegwatku, she was trained in the traditions of the Gitksan by her mother-in-law Matriarch Irene Harris. Starting in Prince Rupert she founded the We yah hani nah Coastal First Nations Dance Festival which was instrumental in reviving First Nations culture in northwestern British Columbia. Her 40 years of experience teaching Cree and Gitksan dance and her wealth of traditional knowledge and wisdom is invaluable in guiding the Dancers of Damelahamid.