Tselkxáliya (Dr. Denise Findlay) is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh scholar practitioner from the village of Xwemélch’stn and a PhD in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. Denise is a published academic author whose background is in Philosophy of Educational Theory and Practice, and the recipient of a Social Sciences Humanities Research Council Scholarship (Canadian Graduate Scholarship) for her community-based research. Denise is an autobiographical writer who leads with her Sḵwx̱wú7mesh wisdom who draws on knowledges from the fields of educational philosophy, Indigenous education, the developmental sciences, and contemplative education and inquiry. Denise’s academic research and community practice is focussed on the inner cultivation of the learner, educator and practitioner. In particular the cultivation of wisdom and inner power and the embodiment and enactment of the ethical-relational responsibilities needed to respond to complex challenges being faced today. Denise centres herself in a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh way of life and ways of knowing, being and doing, while effectively bridging philosophy, theory and practice in her healing centred work supporting families, communities and systems. A rare gift and capacity! 

Denise is an innovative program and curriculum developer who regularly works with public and private sector organizations to consult on and develop programs and services in response to calls for reconciliation, decolonization and indigenization to better serve Indigenous peoples in Canada. 

Denise is an advisor to local post-secondary institutions in regard to decolonizing higher education. Denise has spent countless hours facilitating group processes in response to social issues rooted in intergenerational trauma and colonization. 

Denise also earned her M.Ed in Contemplative Education from SFU, and is on Faculty with The Neufeld Institute where she has been mentored by Dr. Gordon Neufeld in his Developmental Attachment Theory. Denise is a certified BC Provincial Post-Secondary Instructor and Professional Co-Active Coach with advanced training in Process Psychology and systems work.