Times Colonist: May 29, 1961 Chief Thunderbird, Baptiste Paul, 7286 W. Sannich Rd., shows five year-old son Davey where all Indians can vote in Esquimalt-Sannich by election today, first time full franchise has been extended in B.C. Polling station is Brentwood Women's Institute Hall. Photo by Halkett. RECENT POSTS How are we doing? Leave Us Your Feedback Here
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Collaboration Between Nations Key To Reclaiming Land Rights The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council is celebrating the victories of BC First Nations who have reclaimed land-based rights in shared territories. Shown above, Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation sign a historic collaboration agreement with Vancouver’s UNDRIP Task Force Challenges in working with colonial bodies to reclaim land rights Historically, colonial bodies have failed to acknowledge Indigenous perspectives on land ownership, rights, and land use. Where colonial bodies rely on rigidly defined property lines to determine who “owns” land, Indigenous understandings of who can access shared and overlapping territories is [...]
Times Colonist: May 27, 1969 Under a recent agreement between federal and provincial governments. Indian parents can choose between public, parochial or Indian schools for the education of their children. But Victor Janzen, inspector or Indian schools on Vancouver Island, told Saanich Peninsula school trustees Monday night the department of Indian affairs and northern development hopes all Indians will eventually see the need to have their children taught in integrated classes. He was outlining for the school board how the agreement signed in February affects the 250 Indian students from the four bands within the school district. As of last [...]
Salmon Habitat & Killer Whales At Increased Risk Due to Ongoing Malahat Expansion: W̱SÁNEĆ Nation Member Protests Carl Olsen - ZȺWIZUT, a W̱SÁNEĆ Nation member has literally taken to the streets. Every Tuesday since March, he stands along the Malahat Highway to raise awareness about the impacts of ongoing construction on the salmon spawning in Goldstream Provincial Park. “Under the (Douglas) Treaty, this stream is protected because we have a right to fish in this stream, but we also have a right to hunt and fish as formerly as well as protect it. That comes first. I have the [...]
This time of year, is traditionally known as PENÁW̱EṈ-MOON OF CAMAS HARVEST PENÁWEṈ TES E EṮ PENÁW̱EṈ ȻNIȽs YÁs TŦEN QEȽ W̱ILṈEW̱TOL OX̱E TŦE ṮEṮÁĆES. OLEXETES TŦE ḰȽOEL U SXÁĆEȽ TŦE Ć,ȻÁ, E TŦE ḰȽOEL LÁE TŦE Á,ŦȻEȽ. EWEs U MEQ SÁN Ć,ȻÁ, MEQ EXIN E TŦE ÁLEṈENEȻ ŚW̱LÁEs Ȼs ISTs TŦE QEȽ W̱ILṈEW̱ȽTE. ṮAḴT TŦE SȻÁĆEL ṮWE EWEs ENÁN SȽEMW̱TW̱E ÍY QÁLES. NI E TŦE EN QEȽ W̱ILṈEW̱TŦE Ć,ȻÁ, E SWÁLET: 1) TŦE ȾEȾXOLESs TŦE ḰENI I. 2) TŦE ŚW̱LÁEs ȻS JISEṈs TŦE ḰȽOEL U YOŦ OL U ELEXOTEṈ TŦE XIW̱E I TŦE SQIȾI. PENÁW̱EṈ-MOON OF CAMAS [...]
The WLC and Raincoast are seeking a Nature Smart Project Coordinator W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) and Raincoast Conservation Foundation (Raincoast) are seeking a contracted project coordinator to support ongoing nature smart conservation work within W̱SÁNEĆ Territories. The successful candidate will help to advance local, collaborative efforts to mobilize nature-smart climate solutions under Indigenous leadership. This work will involve organizing engagement events with W̱SÁNEĆ community members; helping to develop replicable nature smart climate solution frameworks (with the support of local partners); drafting communications pertaining to the project; organizing and facilitating meetings with collaborative partners; and drafting funding proposals for advancing project [...]
Two years of discussions have culminated in a just-signed working arrangement with the Province of BC. A new Letter of Understanding (LOU) between the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and the Province of BC is an agreement to have the kinds of discussions necessary for achieving lasting reconciliation. The LOU is a meaningful first step in attaining the kinds of policy changes necessary to effectively improve the issues most important to members of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation. This work will include seeking to clarify shared understandings of the Douglas Treaties, and how to move forward together. “This Letter of Understanding signals an [...]
Critical Access to Sports and Recreation Is Missing for too many W̱SÁNEĆ Sport and recreation provide much needed community health benefits, but lack of space, funds and transportation limit participation for many W̱SÁNEĆ community members. Shown above, some members of the Geronimo Canoe Club There is no doubt sports and recreation are fundamental to a healthy life. They provide opportunities to create community, build physical health, and support mental health. That’s why, in settler communities, nearly every neighborhood has a community center with a gym and a robust schedule of programming. Sports and recreation opportunities are equally if not [...]
We're thrilled to present the first report of our QENTOL, YEN / WSÁNEĆ Marine Guardians Program. Our program supports our specific needs as WSÁNEĆ Marine Guardians by increasing WSÁNEĆ presence in the Salish Sea. In addition, our work ensures the WSÁNEĆ Leadership Council has access to better information to advocate for our relatives of the deep, the KELLOLEMEĆEN. Lastly, the Southern Resident Killer Whale Monitoring Program will act as a knowledge hub for any First Nations group that may not have its own monitoring program. This report will provide detailed information gathered by our QENTOL, YEN / WSÁNEĆ Marine Guardians [...]
