Yearly Archives: 2023

Brentwood Bay Park Renamed from Pioneer Park to HEL,HILEȻ Youth leaders successfully worked with the District of Central Saanich to provide the park with a SENĆOŦEN name, eliminating the previous name’s implication that settlers were the first to find the land. After a year-long initiative led by W̱SÁNEĆ youth, the Central Saanich Council approved a request to change the name of “Pioneer Park” to HEL,HILEȻ on September 25, 2023. In late 2022, youth from the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership School and Stelly’s Secondary organized a gathering to implore the District of Central Saanich to restore a SENĆOŦEN name to the [...]

At this time, this engagement session is meant for W̱SÁNEĆ Community members ONLY. Forums for non W̱SÁNEĆ members will be held in due time. W̱SÁNEĆ Community Invitation to: Indigenous Management Board Update (GINPR and Proposed NMCAR) Wednesday, November 1st, 3:00pm - 6:00pm Tsawout Gym Learn why eleven First Nations Communities, from Snuneymuxw to W̱SÁNEĆ formed the Indigenous Management Board and what the IMB is doing to protect our lands and waters. Specific topics include a proposed National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR) and the current operation of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR). RECENT POSTS [...]

This time of year, around the new moon in the month of October, is traditionally known as PEKELANEW - The Moon That Turns the Leaves White  This is the moon of the turning white season (frost). This moon brings the first frost. The leaves lose their colours and turn pale. Deer hunting is the activity during this moon. The earth is cooling down and the people turn their efforts to hunting. WEATHER The longer, cooler nights can lead to frost on the leaves and the ground in higher country. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES The W̱SÁNEĆ people began splitting the cedar [...]

W̱SÁNEĆ Engagement Forum Proposed Barrier and Road Widening Project at Goldstream River When: Wednesday, October 18  Where: Saanich Fairgrounds – Main Hall  Time: 5:00-8:30 p.m.  The Forum will start with a meal and include the following Presentations: Project Proposal – Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) Technical – WLC Referrals, Lorax Environmental Services, Goldstream Hatchery Historic Use Presentation – Trailmark and UBC W̱SÁNEĆ Laws – YELḰATŦE (Robert Clifford), J,SINTEN (John Elliott), W̱IĆKINEM (Eric Pelkey) Open Floor – Participant Questions to Presenters  Trans-Canada Highway 1 – Goldstream Median Barrier and Widening Project Location The province have proposed to do [...]

This September 30th, Canada observes the first annual day of acknowledgement of the harms caused by colonization, honouring the lives that were lost and those that were irreversibly impacted by the residential school system. On this day, the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council encourages every settler to take meaningful action towards reconciliation. Artwork by Kayla Bellerose Following the delivery of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which recommended 94 calls to action, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said:  “The burden of this experience has been on your shoulders for far too long. The burden is properly ours as [...]