Yearly Archives: 2022

The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve lands on Sidney Spit will be closed to the public this winter to allow for deer hunting by local First Nations people. This annual closure lasts from November 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023.  Since 2005, Parks Canada has closed public access to Sidney Spit for traditional hunting. This public closure extends to all of the national park reserve land during this period. Parks Canada has created a hunting schedule to increase safety, avoid conflict with volunteer events, and reduce the occurrence of multiple parties hunting simultaneously. To schedule your activity please contact Ben [...]

Catching up with the Reef Net Project Youth Learn more about the Youth Reef Net Workers and their recent experience setting the reef net this year. Click play to view the short video, or read the transcript below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tPGEoz6nQs Interviewer: Can you tell us the date, time, and logistical information about launching the reef net? Edna Elsworth: I believe we set the reef net on August 7th. It was late afternoon and we had two canoes and three or four support boats we were successful in launching the net and the lead, which was really exciting and it was the [...]

October 21st, the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board is hosting its 50th-anniversary & school Grand Opening celebration. All students and families are invited to attend to celebrate the accomplishments of the past 50 years and view the new facilities. “We are so excited to unveil our new, world-class facilities and to celebrate 50 years of great work together this fall.” shares Curtis Olsen. The 50-year anniversary celebration will take place on Thursday, October 21st from 10 am to 4 pm at the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board gymnasium. All generations of students, families, teachers, staff, and Elders from the four communities of W̱JOȽEȽP/Tsartlip, BOḰEĆEN/ [...]

Truth & Reconciliation Day from a W̱SÁNEĆ perspective On Truth and Reconciliation Day, we are featuring the perspectives of members of our W̱SÁNEĆ community. We asked, what does the day mean to you, and how are you spending the day. Special thanks to Dave Paul, ESKISELWET / Tracy Underwood, Carolyn Sampson, Edna Ellsworth, and Kusemaat - Shirley Williams for sharing their stories. Interviewer, What does Truth & Reconciliation Day mean to you? Kusemaat - Shirley Williams:  Truth and Reconciliation Day means remembering our ancestors and all life of Mother Earth every day and taking action to ensure thriving culture and [...]

W̱SÁNEĆ youth from the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership School and Stelly’s Highschool have planned a demonstration on Reconciliation Day, urging Saanich Mayor to rename Pioneer Park. Shown above: Pioneer Park in Brentwood Bay needs a new name, urge W̱SÁNEĆ  Students This Friday, September 30th, on Truth and Reconciliation Day, the entire student body and staff will be marching to raise awareness of the need for reconciliation to include concrete action. The Reconcili-ACTION walk, called ŚTEṈ,ISTEL which means “Walking/Moving Each Other Forward” will take place from 12:00 - 2:00 pm on September 30th; on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known [...]

What do you think of Truth & Reconciliation Day? The National Day of Truth & Reconciliation (formerly known as Orange Shirt Day) is coming up on September 30th. The WLC is looking for W̱SÁNEĆ Community Members to share their perspectives on what the day means to them and how they are spending the day. Your perspective will be included in an upcoming article on the W̱SÁNEĆ perspectives of Truth & Reconciliation Day. Please click here to share your thoughts: Your Perspective On Truth & Reconciliation Day (your names will be kept confidential unless you give us permission to share it) [...]