Monthly Archives: February 2021

TLC To transfer SISȻENEM (Halibut Island) to W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. Charity raises more than $1.55M to purchase and protect the ecological and cultural gem. Click here to read the full press release Shown above: SISȻENEM Victoria, BC – The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council are pleased to announce a landmark partnership agreement that will transfer title of SISȻENEM, a 9.67-acre island off the east coast of Sidney Island, from the charitable land trust to the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council as an act of reconciliation. Also known as Halibut Island, the island was recently [...]

W̱SÁNEĆ  Art Protocol W̱SÁNEĆ people have created and displayed art and sacred symbols of our culture throughout W̱SÁNEĆ territory since long before settlers arrived. The art that W̱SÁNEĆ people created was expressed in, and on, multiple mediums for many different purposes: intricately carved household objects, complicated mechanical ceremonial objects, woven Chiefs' regalia, large carved and painted house posts, and innumerable other objects that are each an integral part of W̱SÁNEĆ culture. Each of these objects--whether used in private or displayed in public--was intended to express a distinctly W̱SÁNEĆ identity to all those able to see them. However, [...]

The WLC is pleased to announce work on a dedicated referrals office will begin this year.  Shown above: a map of the Wastewater Treatment Project ending at the Hartland Residuals Treatment Facility in W̱SÁNEĆ territory What is known as referrals are formal requests for consultation with outside parties on work within the territory. Referrals are received in accordance with the duty to consult, a legal obligation that must be fulfilled by the government prior to taking actions or making decisions that may have consequences for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Some referrals pertain to large projects such [...]

Feb 18th join us for our first in-depth community engagement session! This session is strictly for W̱SÁNEĆ people to focus on our shared history.  Register Here As we all know, our history has been told and written about us in various non-indigenous books and documents and our oral history was disregarded in much of this. Participants will be guided through a facilitated discussion to brainstorm we can share our history in a way we want it to be told. Who are we as W̱SÁNEĆ people and what are the important pieces of history that can be included in the [...]