By: Valerie Diamond

Elaine Alec, the self-published book author of “Calling My Spirit Back” speaks of her life experiences with the specific intent of informing others of her methods to achieve success from a disassociating place - methods intertwined with good love bundles from her maternal matrilineal, uncles, and adopted relatives from indigenous ceremony. 

Along with being an accomplished author, which Alec mentioned was her greatest aspiration growing up, she is “a political advisor, women’s advocate and spiritual thought leader” and holds various job titles, including Indigenous artists’ manager, Community Comprehensive Planner, BCAFN employee, founding partner of ALDERHILL PLANNING, and family caretaker. 

After gloating about my own animal spirit experience while reading her book, I asked Alec about the symbolism of Bitterroot for her book cover. Alec mentioned that bitterroot is one of the four food chiefs of Syilx, and a part of a favourite memory from when she was younger.

We spoke of reclaiming womanhood as women raised by masculine matriarchs and male relatives. She also spoke of the writing practice of overcoming the notion that ‘perfect is white supremacy’ and she delved into the importance of cultivating safe spaces wherever and whenever, especially on the rez. 

Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS) is an eleven lesson online course Elaine facilitates. She teaches methods for people to approach relatives and neighbours in an Indigenous decolonizing method allowing for trauma sharing and healing practices. She also spoke of the importance of learning diverse perspectives that instill passion within, including through travel, reading, and more.