Rejection and Denouncement of Métis Colonialism in British Columbia
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-10-05T17:14:33+00:00Download the Full PDF Here RECENT POSTS Leave Us Your Feedback Here
Collaboration Between Nations Key To Reclaiming Land Rights
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-06-15T06:27:29+00:00Collaboration 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 [...]
Salmon Habitat & Killer Whales At Increased Risk Due to Ongoing Malahat Expansion: W̱SÁNEĆ Nation Member Protests
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-10-05T17:14:53+00:00Salmon 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 [...]
The WLC and Raincoast are seeking a Nature Smart Project Coordinator
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-05-16T21:52:00+00:00The 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 [...]
Province of BC commits to take steps toward meaningful reconciliation in a new Letter of Understanding
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-06-15T06:54:52+00:00Two 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
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-05-09T15:41:04+00:00Critical 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 [...]
Announcing QENTOL, YEN / WSÁNEĆ Marine Guardians Program’s First Report
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-05-09T15:43:41+00:00We'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 [...]
Experienced Childminder Needed
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-05-08T23:03:44+00:00Are you an experienced Childcare Provider? Available from 9-3 on Wednesday? $25.00/hr. Wednesday, May 10 Tsawout Auditorium Open House Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm Looking for a person with childminding experience (ECE diploma not needed); Please be willing to bring books, art supplies, paper, children’s toys, etc. to entertain children as needed. Please email Thomas.Munson@saanich.ca RECENT POSTS Join the next community engagement session.
May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-05-04T23:16:32+00:00In Canada, Indigenous women and girls are targeted for violence more than any other group. They are 12 times more likely to go missing or be killed. In the US, they face murder rates up to 10 times higher than the national average. An annual women’s memorial march to commemorate missing and murdered indigenous women and girls takes place each Valentines Day downtown Vancouver (image courtesy of Daily Hive) In 2019, a national inquiry named this crisis in Canada a genocide. The in-depth report found that regularly, missing indigenous women and girls are stereotyped or stigmatized and their family’s [...]
Now Hiring Senior Cultural Research Lead
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council2023-05-02T17:49:07+00:00Reciprocity Research is looking for a full or part-time senior cultural research lead (flexible 30 to 40 hours per week) based in Victoria, BC with some travel required (reciprocityconnects.ca) Indigenous candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Learn more RECENT POSTS Join the next community engagement session.