We are proud to announce that Marylee Quock is the 2025 recipient of the Ann M Ball Bursary. Established by GCMC in honour of Ann Ball’s important contributions to the Galore Creek Project, the mining industry and Tahltan Nation, this annual $5,000 award supports emerging Tahltan leaders enrolled in post-secondary, trades or certificate programs.
Marylee has shown commitment to her community, strong leadership aspirations and dedication to her educational goals. We invite you to join us in celebrating her achievement and to share in her journey as she steps into this next exciting chapter.
Marylee, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us. To start, would you tell our readers a little about yourself – maybe something the readers might not necessarily know about you, or things you do in your spare time.
My name is Marylee. My Tahltan name is Tek’ajeh-mā (Frog Mother or Frog Woman). I was born in Terrace and raised in Telegraph Creek, where my roots and cultural values have always guided me. In Grade 8, I moved to Whitehorse to begin my high school journey and later completed it in Terrace. I am now pursuing an Early Childhood Education program while raising my son, Decklyn, here in Telegraph Creek. I wanted to provide him with the same traditional home experience that I had growing up in Tahltan Territory. I currently spend my days working and learning at the Tahltan Head Start program. This is where I discovered my passion for supporting children’s growth and early learning.
You’ve stepped into a role of mentor and leader in your community. Looking back, was there someone; an elder, teacher, family member or friend who inspired you or helped shape how you lead and engage? Could you tell us about that situation/person and their influence?
My kindergarten teacher played a big role in inspiring me to pursue education. His name was Mr. Andrew Fisher. He was very encouraging when I first started school and continued to support me throughout the years he taught here in Telegraph Creek. I will always remember him telling me that he could see me as a teacher or an early childhood educator. That conversation we had when I was younger sparked a lasting inspiration inside me.
Your journey toward wellness and personal growth has helped shape who you are today. How have those experiences influenced your approach to education, mentorship and community engagement?
Taking the first step into recovery was a big moment for me, and all the doors that opened afterward were incredible. I reconnected with my community and my family. We now have weekly AA meetings here in Telegraph Creek, something that never existed before, and I sometimes have the opportunity to host them. I take great pride in advocating for recovery and wellness and in helping to maintain the safe spaces we have built. It is inspiring to see our group grow, and other communities are becoming more open to healing. It is amazing to witness people opening up, being vulnerable, and embracing their true, authentic selves.
What does receiving the Ann M Ball Bursary mean to you personally, and professionally, at this stage in your life?
When I received the call from Ann, it was incredibly rewarding. It put everything I have been working toward into perspective and felt like a pat on the back. This opportunity has also opened new long-term goals for me to continue my education and possibly become a teacher. I want to give back to the community and to the children and families of Telegraph Creek. It is very fulfilling. I love the idea of nurturing the next generation and helping them grow.
Looking back to where you started and looking ahead to where you’re going, what advice would you offer to other Indigenous youth or community members who are aspiring to lead, to educate, to heal?
What I would like to share with my peers and community is to dream without limits and chase those dreams. I encourage others to believe in the strength of our people and our land. Spend time with children because they remind us of life’s purest lessons. Their innocence and curiosity teach us patience, gratitude, and the importance of slowing down. I also believe in the healing power of spending time on the land. That was a big part of my own healing journey, being back in the community and reconnecting with the land. Lastly, giving back in service to the community, whether through acts of self-love or by supporting another person, are powerful expressions of leadership. Leadership is not about titles or positions, it is about influencing one another in positive and meaningful ways.
Marylee, on behalf of the Galore Creek team, thank you for speaking with us today. Your story and your passion for helping others truly stand out. It is clear you are making a real difference in your community.
