Lisa Perley-Dutcher

This collar is one of those pieces. Each student was asked to create a collar for their graduation ceremony. The beadwork on this collar symbolizes her spirit’s name Cipelahq Ehpit (Thunderbird Woman). Thunderbird is characterized by its ability to rise from the ashes and create new beginnings. This collar is symbolic of her life’s work as a nurse and in language revitalization. Following graduation from the language program Lisa and a small group of committed Wolatoqewiyik established Kehkimin Inc., the first Wolastoqey Immersion and Land-Based School in Wolastoqey territory.

NOT FOR SALE

Lisa Perley-Dutcher a Wolastoqi/Maliseet woman from Neqotkuk/Tobique First Nation. She is a mother of four sons (Shane, Andrew, Jonathan, and Jeremy) and grandmother to five grandchildren. Lisa’s professional work includes working as a registered nurse for 30 years. Her career goals have been focused on contributing to improved health outcomes for Indigenous peoples both locally and nationally. Once she retired as a nurse, her focus shifted to language revitalization. She completed the two- year Wolastoqey Language Intensive Program at STU. During this program she created many traditional Wolastoqey cultural items.