Mrs. Irene Smith is a respected Elder and the wife of the late Chief Elijah Smith. She is a fluent speaker of the Southern Tutchone Language and is traditionally from the Whitehorse and Lake LeBarge areas. Irene has taught Southern Tutchone to adults and children for several years. She has a thorough knowledge of the Kwanlin Dän and Ta'an Kwach'an history and culture.
Irene's education was cultivated by her Grandmother Shuwateen who was a traditional leader and the elder sister to Chief Jim Boss at Lake LeBarge.
Irene has assisted in designing, developing, and implementing culture and language immersion programs. She also has a wealth of traditional stories that she happily narrates around a campfire, at bedtimes, or whenever she is called upon to do so. Children are mesmerized by her stories.
She loves to socialize and has a natural ability to communicate and provide leadership to adults and children of all ages. Her skills in teamwork shine through when children and adults naturally follow her directions.
She has been called upon many times to attend workshops and meetings because of her competence and ability to share her traditional knowledge.
Irene loves to sew and work on her moose-hides in the traditional manner. In the summer months she lives the old ways by gathering food through fishing and hunting. She hunts for moose, caribou and smaller game on her own and is a very good provider for her family.