Dory LaBoucane

Dory LaBoucane is a Métis Kookum of four beautiful grandchildren as well as those lucky enough to be invited to call her ‘Kookum Dory’. Dory was born on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people (colonially known as Golden, BC) and raised in Tanaka and Shuswap territories. Dory is a gifted Elder and Knowledge Keeper, generously sharing teachings through relationships as an artist, berry picker, basket maker, beader, and carver after completing 3 years of carving school. Dory’s love of woodworking is deeply symbolic and a legacy of the relationship with her father (Cree/French) who was a master carpenter. Dory holds her beloved mother (Cree/Scottish), who was a sewer and knitter, close and carries great respect for her strength.

Dory walks with the belief that the knowledge she has been gifted with is not for her, rather that she is meant to share these ways of knowing with others.

Kookum Dory carries the knowledge and skills of tanning hides and is a cedar weaver – an ancient artform that was taught to her by a Neskonlith Elder and a Haida Knowledge Keeper. She harvests cedar root for cedar hats, a teaching that was shared with her from the traditional people of the west coast. Kookum Dory’s lifeway is through learning and sharing the arts.

Dory is a doula as well as a trained Kairos Canada facilitator, appreciating the profound healing that unfolds within the blanketing ceremony.

After spending many years working with families and Indigenous Services, Dory retired as a social worker but continues to be in great demand as an on-call Elder at the University of Kamloops. The Gathering Our Medicine team is deeply grateful to be supported and held up by Kookum Dory’s wisdom, no-nonsense care, love, humour, and incredible generosity!