Coast Salish Elder Raymond Tony Charlie (Penelakut Tribe) is an educator, artist, public speaker, author, and residential school survivor who is committed to holistic healing for true reconciliation. He gave testimony as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in Duncan, B.C. in 2012.
Elder Ray Tony is a cherished educator on reconciliation and a speaker at POLIS gatherings and events, including the June 2021 Listening Circle with Coast Salish Elders Florence James & Ray Tony Charlie, which was organized in the spirit of listening and learning from local Indigenous Elders to better understand what reconciliation asks of us at this time.
Over the last several years, Elder Ray Tony undertook the remarkable task of writing his personal story and healing journey as a residential school survivor. His memoir, In the Shadow of the Red Brick Building was published by Askew Creek Publishing in May 2022. On June 2, 2022, POLIS and CFGS recognized Elder Ray Tony in a special book launch event, which was recorded so it could serve as an educational resource for all seeking to learn more about the residential school system and reconciliation in Canada.
