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Youth Taking the Lead – Trina Adanchilla Pauls

Trina Adanchilla Pauls is 15 years old and lives in Whitehorse, Yukon. Here’s how she’s taking the lead:

“Adanchilla is my traditional name which means strong powerful little women. I come from the Tahltan and Tlingit nations. I am a member of the Champagne Aishihik First Nations. I am fifteen years old. I am from Whitehorse, Yukon. I love to learn the different forms of art in my culture, anything from Beading, Ravens Tail Weaving, Carving, Cedar bark weaving, formline, and, drum making. I have been beading for nine years now. I started my own business at twelve called Adanchilla designs. I always get excited to teach people their traditional arts including my family and friends. I enjoy showing people how to bead and make drums because I’ve been doing those since I was a little human. I have a little brother as well, his name is Salix. I’m excited to see him grow so I’ll be able to teach him different teachings as he getting older. I’m a part of a traditional dance group called the Dakhká khwaán Dancers. I’m a youth leader in the dance group as well. I’ve learned how to talk to others and that everybody is different. I’ve learned that people need to be taught differently or need a different perspective. These different examples have taught be how to be patient, caring, positive. Being on the land is a big part of my life especially in the summer. I go to my fish camps every year. I get to see my family and be on my traditional territory. I think being on the land is a part of connecting with my culture. When I’m at my fish camps I get taught traditional teachings, story telling, observing the land and animals, how to be respectful. Being involved in your culture whether you are becoming a leader or just helping out and being present in you culture is so important. I enjoy being a part of the land and learning my culture because it makes me feel good. I also learn so much from my culture and my community. I learn how to have a healthy lifestyle too. It’s so important to learn your culture so the knowledge can get passed down to the next generations.”