Lee Everson

Co-curator/Facilitator


Lee Everson is an ally and an advocate for Indigenous Peoples. She is a guest on K’omoks First Nations territory, wife to Nagedzi hereditary Chief Rob Everson of the Gigalga̱m Wala̱s Kwaguł and mother of three. Lee is deeply rooted in her family’s culture, making regalia for her family, assisting in organizing feasts and potlatches, and dancing regularly with the Kumugwe Dancers. To ensure she follows traditional protocols she seeks guidance from Elders and knowledge keepers. Lee is fiercely proud of her family and grateful to be part of the Potlatching community. She has volunteered her time in organizing events such as National Aboriginal Day, The Annual Red Dress Awareness Campaign and Installation, Walking With Our Sisters K’omoks (the first location in BC), and serves as the volunteer administrator for the Kumugwe Cultural Society and Dance Group for the past eleven years. Lee was the curator for Potlatch 67-67 where she addressed the importance of reclaiming culture through art since the devastation of the Potlatch Ban.

In 1989 Lee began making regalia for her children and family with support from her husband’s grandmother the late Margaret Frank. Lee used the old family blankets as guides and referenced pieces she researched. Lee has spent time learning the ways of her family’s ancestors to honour the process and traditions. She has great respect for understanding Indigenous ways of knowing and is fortunate to have master blanket maker John Powell who assists her in her journey of learning. Lee coordinated facilitators to teach regalia making in her community, cedar weaving, cedar headpiece making, button blanket making to name a few courses.

Lee began researching the many regalia pieces the family has lost over the years and with her families permission began making reproductions of these pieces which has become her passion. She has worked with several museums and knowledge keepers for assistance in recreating regalia. This learning has been past down to her children who are proud and honoured to practice their Kwakwak’wakw culture.