Eric Pelkey, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council's Community Engagement Coordinator and hereditary chief of Tsawout, featured in CBC News. In this article, Eric Pelkey speaks about the impact of the Vancouver Island to U.S. ferry cancellation on W̱SÁNEĆ community members. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-island-us-ferry-cancelled-until-2030-1.6765073 RECENT POSTS Leave Us Your Feedback Here
W̱SÁNEĆ Marine and Land Use Plan Community Engagement Events All engagements are virtual via Zoom. Please register in advance. Register once and you can choose to attend whichever sessions you would like: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sceCvrj0qGNWamk_0H2YB Xxm5ry_6Ggyw Download the poster as a PDF RECENT POSTS Join the next community engagement session.
GVHA is Hiring a Maintenance Crew member Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is currently seeking a full-time Maintenance Crew member to participate in the maintenance and repair of all GVHA properties and facilities. Ideally, you have a well-rounded background and skill set in facility maintenance and construction. You are knowledgeable in the safe use of tools and equipment operation and have a strong awareness of public safety when conducting maintenance activities. Experience in a marine environment is an asset, including proficiency in boat handling, operation and knowledge of harbour and waterway regulations. You must have a valid Class [...]
Above: Replica W̱SÁNEC artifacts gifted by Parks Canada to the Leadership Council. W̱SÁNEĆ Cultural Workers have been appointed to an Archaeology Committee to guide archaeological and cultural heritage policy development and archaeological work in W̱SÁNEĆ territory. Above: Ancient W̱SÁNEC artifacts uncovered during work done for the CRD Wastewater Treatment Plant Project The Vision for the Archaeology Committee is to: Develop a terms of reference for their work (complete and approved November 2022) Develop Archaeology policy, procedures, and fee-for-service framework Recruit archaeological program staff (funding dependent) Identify training for cultural workers Participate in archaeological work in W̱SÁNEĆ territory [...]
Bow Hunting Course Update Thank you to everyone who attended our most recent Bow Hunting Course. It was a great success and we’re looking forward to more events in the future. We would like to know if anyone is interested in Bow Hunting evening and weekend classes in the future. If so, please sign up through the waitlist form and you’ll be notified about dates if there’s enough interest. Waitlist Signup Form: https://forms.gle/xg1JGgVQvH3dPJkc7 RECENT POSTS Leave Us Your Feedback Here
The QENTOL, YEN / W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians team is preparing to attend and present at the IMPAC5 conference. The IMPAC5 conference, which will be held from February 3rd - 9th 2023, has accepted the WLC's presentation, New Beginning: QENTOL, YEN / W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians. The International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) is an international conference that brings together experts in ocean conservation and high-ranking government representatives to discuss, debate and take action on marine protected areas. Shown here are the Marine Guardians practicing, preparing, and setting up for the conference next week. RECENT POSTS Leave Us Your Feedback [...]
Blueberry River First Nations’ Landmark Legal Victory Sets Strong Precedent for Protection of W̱SÁNEĆ Douglas Treaty Rights The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) is exploring the application of the landmark legal victory by the Blueberry River First Nations (Blueberry) in Yahey v. British Columbia, 2021 BCSC 1287 (Yahey) to W̱SÁNEĆ Douglas Treaty rights. The findings of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in this recent decision lends support to the WLC in their mandate to promote the interests of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations by pursuing the protection of our treaty rights. As controversial as they may be, the 1852 North [...]
Eric Pelkey Interviewed for Seaside Magazine Eric Pelkey, Community Engagement Coordinator for the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, provided an Indigenous perspective on the history of the Saanich Peninsula for an article called The History of the Saanich Peninsula: Part 1 – A Foundation of Diversity by Doreen Marion Gee. You can read the article on their website now: https://seasidemagazine.ca/the-history-of-the-saanich-peninsula-part-1-a-foundation-of-diversity/ RECENT POSTS Leave Us Your Feedback Here
The District of Saanich is holding an Indigenous-only Community Planning Engagement Session this coming January 12th. When: January 12th, 9:00 am-1:00 pm Where: Tsawout Gym This forum is being held to solicit W̱SÁNEĆ perspectives and vision for the future of the forests and biodiversity on the Saanich peninsula. The feedback gathered during this session is used to inform Urban Forests and Biodiversity in the District of Saanich. The forthcoming Official Community Plan will shape Saanich’s Urban Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, for many years to come. While the WLC is working hard to ensure W̱SÁNEĆ interests are heard at [...]
Reestablishing & Documenting Traditional Protocols The Key To Asserting Title & Rights In Shared & Overlapping Territories The WLC is exploring ways to reduce vulnerabilities when advocating for rights and title through reestablishing & documenting cultural protocols for shared and overlapping territories. How are shared and overlapping territories a vulnerability? Because the rights and usage of shared and overlapping territories do not fit within the rigid colonial notions of land ownership, Indigenous title and rights claims have often been dismissed for lack of “proof” or clear “ownership”. Shared and overlapping territory has been used as justification for failing to [...]
