THE STORY BEHIND "DEYEN"

Deyen is the Tsilhqot'in word for "person with the power to transform.”  It is believed by some Tsilhqot’in Knowledge Keepers that everyone is a Deyen. It is just a matter of taking the time and space to explore and uncover the Deyen inside of you. Traditionally in the Tsilhqot’in communities, Deyens were seen as wise and powerful people.  They were consulted with some of the community’s most complex matters and were able to “transform” the situation to something positive.  Deyen’s also traditionally had the power to transform their own shape. For example, a Deyen will transform themselves from human form to a raven to allow them to fly out of danger if needed.


This one-of-a-kind, unique, online learning hub shares the traditional knowledge, wisdom, worldviews, and lived experiences of Indigenous women on the lands often referred to as Canada.  The decision was made to call the learning hub Deyen to invite Canadians to look inside themselves and uncover their own powers (or Deyen) to provide a pathway through the guidance of Indigenous women, the original Matriarchs and Knowledge Keepers of these lands, and to transform perceptions, thought-processes, and assumptions about Indigenous Peoples.  


It is a courageous journey to reclaim your Deyen and transform deeply entrenched values, thoughts, and beliefs that have existed for generations and continue to be perpetuated by the dominant narrative. One of the most powerful things an individual can do in life is to uncover their Deyen and accept the invitation to transform.  When this happens, the opportunity for better relationships to exist is heightened. When we improve our relationships with ourselves and each other the outcomes of social justice, equity, improved mutual respect, and unity has a greater possibility of being achieved. Find the Deyen within you and allow the transformation to happen!

Chastity Davis-Alphonse

Instructor

Chastity Davis-Alphonse is a mixed heritage woman of First Nations and European descent. She is a proud member of the Tla’amin Nation. Chastity is sole proprietor of her own multi-award-winning consulting business. She has worked with 125+ First Nation communities in BC and several well-known corporations, companies, not-for-profits, and Indigenous organizations. Chastity’s work is completed in the spirit of reconciliation and focuses on building knowledge and capacities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals, organizations, communities, and governments. Chastity’s approach is from an Indigenous woman’s lens. She is on the leading edge of Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis (IGBA) in Canada, working with the federal and provincial governments, Tsilhqot’in National Government, and several others to weave the Indigenous women’s lens into their daily practices. Chastity is creator, curator, and visionary of Deyen – An Invitation to Transform – one of the first online learning hubs that shares the knowledge, wisdom, worldviews, and lived experiences of Indigenous women. The first set of learning modules is titled, Canadian History Through the Lens of Indigenous Women and launched with Deyen on April 1, 2021. Chastity has a Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communications, a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication and a Diploma in Marketing Management & Professional Sales from BCIT. Chastity is also a certified yoga teacher in two modalities: Yin and Kundalini. She weaves the ancient practice and philosophy of yoga into her personal and professional life.