Q&A: A conversation with Secwépemc storyteller Dionne Phillips

Dionne Phillips always loved writing. But she didn’t consider becoming a professional storyteller until she learned about IndigiNews’ mentorship program. 

As one of three mentees selected for the inaugural program, which kicked off in January of this year, she spent more than four months learning the ropes from mentors like Duncan McCue and Omayra Issa, culminating in a series of stories published this spring and summer.

“A lot of Indigenous people haven’t heard positive stories about ourselves written by Indigenous people,” Dionne said. “So that’s really what made me commit to it.”

She’s now returned as a full-time storyteller with IndigiNews and The Wren reporting for Secwepemc’ulucw, also known as Secwépemc territory. 

Secwepemc’ulucw stretches from the Columbia River Valley along the Rocky Mountains to the northern crest of the Fraser River to the Arrow Lakes as far south as “Castlegar.” 

As a member of Xats̓úll First Nation, Dionne is sharing Secwépemc stories from her Secwepemcúl’ecw homelands in what’s been briefly known as “Williams Lake.”

This beat came about in response to community feedback about the gaps in regional news coverage, specifically the need for more reporting by and for Secwépemc people, and was made possible with support from the Local Journalism Initiative.

With 17 communities spanning roughly 180,000 square kilometres, Secwepemc’ulucw has never had a Secwépemc journalist dedicated to covering the region.

“Now, I get to go and participate and write about these amazing things that are happening in my community and all the Secwépemc communities,” she said.

Dionne spoke to The Wren editor Lauren Kaljur about her journey into journalism and her goals with this new role. Read the interview, lightly edited for length.

Be the first to read updates on Dionne Phillip’s Secwépemc stories by subscribing to The Wren and IndigiNews’ weekly newsletters.

Q: Where did you grow up and where is home today?

I grew up all over the place. My mom likes to move. The Wanderlust gene I got from her. I grew up in Alberta until I was eight and then family caused us to move back to my dad’s parents in Xats̓úll.

We’ve been here and on the rez in Xats̓úll ever since. So I like to move, but this is always my home. Xats̓úll is where I love to come back to.

Part of what makes it home is being surrounded by family. My dad’s whole family is in Xats̓úll. I’m very close with my brothers — they are my favourite people. I have an adopted little sister and I live only a couple houses from my grandparents. 

And that is part of what helps with the Secwépemc reporting, is having those people to fall back on that also have experiences in and around the areas.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a storyteller?

I love writing. I always write in my journal, every day I write stories. I had taken writing classes in university and me and my old roommate were in the same creative writing class and we never let each other read our stories until we were in class together. That’s how much I didn’t like people reading my work. The only people that ever read my work were my teachers. Not even my parents. 

I don’t think it was until the IndigiNews mentorship came up that I felt the need to jump in. I just needed to try it and see how it is. It’s nerve-wracking, getting your thoughts out for other people to read. 

But I’m writing stories that are pretty positive so far. A lot of Indigenous people haven’t heard positive stories about ourselves written by Indigenous people. So that’s really what made me commit to it.

Q. You were part of IndigiNews’ very first mentorship program. What is your biggest takeaway from that experience?

There’s so many people rooting for you. All the people we met through the mentorship, they’re all willing to help us or told us to call them if we needed anything. There’s just so many people that want stories heard and want us to succeed. And it’s a great feeling.

Q. What made you want to apply for the Secwepemcúlecw reporting role?

I learned so much this year. I’m very introverted and shy, and the mentorship got me out of my comfort zone. I realized that I love it. I like the variety, we get to go to all these events. The Secwepemc’ulucw position has helped me go to more of the cultural events already and It’s only been a couple of weeks. I felt like I never had time to go to them before.

Now I get to go and participate and write about these amazing things that are happening in my community and all the Secwépemc communities. So I feel like it’s helping me get back to my roots and just be proud of being Secwépemc and showing people what we do.

Q. When you look at existing news coverage of Secwépemc peoples, what do you see is missing?

It’s missing the firsthand point of view. It’s getting the word out there but it’s not as in-depth.

Indigenous people have a different way of speaking about each other. We write more personal. Even if we don’t know that person, we get to know them really quick. I feel like non-Indigenous journalists are worried about having that kind of relationship with whatever they’re writing about.

Read more: Secwépemc actor, whose Cannes warrior call went viral, wants to motivate Youth

Q. After a year of reporting on Secwepemcúlecw, what would success look like to you?

Honestly, right now success is writing a story and getting it out there. I never thought that would happen. Even just the first event I went to in Williams Lake First Nation, the Kúkwpi7 was like, ‘Thank you for coming.’ It’s just nice to hear the people who are making these huge announcements be welcoming of an Indigenous reporter. 

Right now it seems very daunting to think about more serious topics and how to delve into that. But I think it’s important to venture out and just broaden my writing style.

Read more: WLFN remembers lost children, uplifts Youth at annual rodeo

Q. What’s something about you, your skills or past experience that many people don’t know?

I went to Europe by myself for a month when I was 21. I was just sick of waiting for people. So I just went by myself and had the most amazing time. I just stayed in hostels and met some great people that I still talk to this day from all around the world. So yeah, I’m not afraid to go by myself.