xʕayluxalqs (Fox Dress), also known by her English name Patricia Manuel, is a member of the Syilx Okanagan Nation–Upper Nicola Band. She is a Syilx traditional knowledge holder, carrier of the Syilx puberty ceremony and the granddaughter of Syilx hereditary chiefs.
As a Traditional Knowledge Keeper and positive role model, she has been instrumental in the
promotion of wellness and healing for families, community and Nation. Xwʕayluxalqs was raised to give back and when she speaks of her work, she’s not talking about her job. She speaks of the work she’s doing for her people — standing ceremonies up again, and reminding x̌ax̌a youth who are going through rites of passage that doing ceremonies to care for the land is vital to the continued existence of the People.
As a continuation of her instructions from her Elders in the ceremonial work she does for the
water (siwɬkw) and the salmon (ntytyix) it is her prayer that the water be clean and clear for all of life, for all of time.