Yearly Archives: 2024

Hope is Queen will pressure Ottawa IMAGE CAPTION: Chief Vern Jacks, of the Tseycum First Nation, holds a letter outlining his concerns over native rights that he’ll present to Queen Elizabeth when the monarch lands in Victoria this afternoon. “A dominant society that does not respect or acknowledge our history,” the letter states. “Our youths feel alienated because there still exists the discrimination that was afflicted on our people by the arrival of the first Europeans.”    The Queen and Prince Philip begin their Canadian tour today.  After several hours in Nunavut, Canada’s newest territory, they will land at a Canadian [...]

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 [...]

📰 Take a look at a February 1977 issue of the “Tribal News,” a window into the past of the Saanich Nation. ✨ Here’s a sneak peak at what you’ll find in this article: ✔️ Dave Elliott asserts Saanich Nation’s rightful ownership of Mt. Newton and opposes ongoing logging and land sales. ✔️ Chief Gus Bill (Tsyal-qwaya) shares wisdom and a vision of unity. 🤝🏾 ✔️ News from Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, and Tseycum bands highlight progress and challenges. 🏘️🛶 ✔️ Beautiful poems by Phoena Spahan, a Grade 10 student at Parkland High. 🧡 ✔️ And More: Land claims, local initiatives, [...]

Update on MOTI Proposed Barrier and Road Widening Project at SELE₭TEȽ ÍY, SȻÁĆEL SIÁM. The WLC Board met in March to get debriefed on what we heard at the two W̱SÁNEĆ community engagement forums in October 2023 and January 2024, and then met with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on June 19 about timelines for engagement on the Goldstream Park Median Barrier and Malahat Highway Widening Project. What We Heard: Goldstream Project Engagement In January 2024 WLC held the second of two W̱SÁNEĆ community engagement forums. Input received was consistent with what we heard in October, and included: [...]

Join Us for the WSÁNEĆ Community Seed Harvest Day at ȾIKEL! 📅 Date: October 4, 2024 🕘 Time: 9 AM - 12 PM 📍 Location: ȾIKEL (along Willow Way off Keating Cross Road) The WSÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society (WLTS) invites you to a day of community engagement, knowledge sharing, and seed harvesting. Help us gather seeds for future restoration projects while learning about upcoming WSÁNEĆ-led initiatives. To RSVP, email emilyquiring@wsanec.com . 🚗💨If you need transportation, let us know in your RSVP, and we may be able to arrange a carpool. Long sleeves, trousers, and boots or gum boots are recommended. [...]