Yearly Archives: 2021

 According to the colonial capitalist system, forests do not have financial value unless they are cut down. This extractive perspective has resulted in devastating impacts to the forests and the oceans in W̱SÁNEĆ territory. In fact, nearly all Coastal Douglas-fir-associated plant communities are considered threatened or endangered due to extensive development.  Image courtesy of Raincoast.org As the non-Indigenous world, at last, begins to understand the inherent value of the earth, more and more companies and political bodies are coming under pressure to show, at minimum, a neutral impact on the environment. And, with this pressure, a unique opportunity [...]

  The WLC has launched a community skills and small business showcase to enhance economic development, skills training and employment rates within the community. Shown above: Pottery by Faye Oakes Recently, the WLC created and launched an Art Protocol - specifically showcasing W̱SÁNEĆ artists that offer large scale commercial art - such as murals, totem poles, sculptures and the types of large installations typically commissioned for public buildings. The intention of this initiative was to provide culturally appropriate direction for settlers that wish to commission W̱SÁNEĆ art, ensuring proper considerations and compensation are provided. In addition to the [...]

The WLC celebrates the 2SLGBTQIA + members of our community during Pride month. Shown above: the Two-Spirit Flag No matter how our members identify, or what their sexual orientation is, it’s critical all our members feel included and safe within our community. We recognize the correlation between good holistic health and the freedom to be who you truly are. It is a month to celebrate our friends and relatives who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+  Indeed, there is much evidence to suggest that strict gender roles and heteronormativity are concepts imposed upon us through colonization. Many Indigenous cultures have terms [...]

Tsawout hereditary Chief Eric Pelkey tells the story of the ancient village of QENEN,IW̱ Click below to listen to Eric tell the story in English. Click below to listen to PENÁĆ tell the story in SENĆOŦEN. QENEṈ,IW̱ The history of QENEṈ,IW̱ was passed on to us by our Elders because it deals with the natural laws of the W̱SANEĆ people. In relating the history and the incidents that brought about the name QENEṈ,IW̱. Our Elders told us that many years ago our family had a reefnet site SX̱IX̱TE; that was directly across the bay from what is now [...]

Share Your Vision For The Saanich Peninsula with the Municipalities in a Virtual Planning Forum The municipalities of Central Saanich, North Saanich and the Town of Sidney are holding an Indigenous-only Official Community Planning Engagement Session this coming June 22nd. When: June 22nd 6-8pm Where: Zoom or call in Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81553574125?pwd=bGNrMjFzZ3dTejhHUDhhRHQ3RlJpUT09 Meeting ID: 815 4347 4125 Passcode: 545835 Dial-in Option: 1-778-907-2071 This virtual forum is being held to solicit W̱SÁNEĆ perspectives and vision for the future of the Saanich peninsula.  The feedback gathered during this Official Community Planning session is used to inform Community Planning within the districts [...]

Last week, staff from the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, teachers from the ȽÁU,WEL,ṈEW̱ Tribal School and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership School, and The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) toured SISȻENEM (Halibut Island) in one of many planned visits to assess the ecology and clean up debris left from the previous owner. Since February’s landmark purchase and upcoming transfer of the island from TLC to the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, there have been multiple visits by elders, scientists and cleanup crews.  These visits are an important part of the creation of the conservation covenant and co-management plan the TLC and W̱SÁNEĆ [...]