Klasom Satlt'xw Losah (Grandma Rose)

Klasom Satlt'xw Losah, or Grandma Rose Henry to many, is a Coast Salish social activist from the Tla'amin Nation. A survivor of the Sixties Scoop, Elder Rose has been fighting to dismantle racism all her life. At 62, she is known as a ‘builder of community; a destroyer of barriers,’ having worked for decades standing up for the rights of the most marginalized, racialized communities in BC.

Rose believes all oppressed groups are now uniting and crossing ‘colour barriers’ because they are ‘seeing with the tth'ele, the heart.’ She has inspired and mentored youth activists in the city, dedicating her time despite her health issues. ‘If I had a clear message, I would like people to know that they are not alone in fighting social injustice. When they give themselves permission to speak out, that is a way to lessen the impact of racism. If I want a big brighter future I should get busy and create it, because the legacy I am leaving behind is going to be for the next 7 generations.’