Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Family Support Worker

Mavis Banek / Goolx Anhl Nox

250-847-5211 Ext: 217

Mavis Banek is from the Gitxsan Nation; her traditional name is “Goolx Anhl Nox”. Mavis is a mother, a grandmother, and a residential school survivor. She has a deep knowledge both of her traditional ways through her family’s teachings, and her personal understanding of colonial harms.

Mavis brings with her cultural skills—as a hunter, fisher, harvester, and cedar weaver; she is passionate about sharing these skills with others. It is an honour to bring these skills to others, connecting families back to traditional ways. Mavis believes, “Culture is healing, and healing is culture.”

Mavis is able to reach out and connect with our community members to journey with them on difficult and sensitive issues. As the MMIWG Support Worker at the Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre, Mavis works collaboratively to ensure local families of MMIWG have access to resources.

In this role, Mavis assists families with the justice system; provides trauma informed counselling to the families of MMIWG; holds workshops with land-based healing techniques, and hosts events to spread awareness about MMIWG.