lastark

You asked, we answered. We are committed to transparency and accountability to the communities we serve. We noticed many of you had similar questions and concerns about our governance structure, relationship with each Chief and Council, our mandate and our contingency plans for dissolution.  We hope to answer these questions with the answers below. If not, please feel free to give us feedback so we can improve. What is the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) mandate and where did it come from?  The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (W̱LC) is currently comprised of Tsartlip, Tseycum and Tsawout.  The Chief and one Councillor of [...]

This time of year, around what is now called November and December , is traditionally known as SJELCASEN- The Moon of putting your paddle away in the bush. This moon is the season of strong winds. The weather is unpredictable, making it unsafe to travel. It is time to put the big sea canoes and paddles away. It is time to honour the paddle for carrying one safely all season long. Snow is possible at this time of year. The long house activities start. WEATHER Strong and sudden winds are now common on the open sea and it [...]

Media Release For Immediate Release November 12, 2020   ḰENES partners with CRD on biosolids trucking contract Victoria, BC – ḰENES Transportation, a W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations partnership company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Capital Regional District (CRD) to contract the trucking of biosolids produced at its Residuals Treatment Facility (RTF) starting this year. Under this agreement ḰENES, a new business created by the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (W̱LC) and Sangan Resource Management, will transport dried biosolids to the Lafarge Canada cement plant in Richmond for up to five years while the CRD develops its long-term management plan for [...]

A few of the community members that served in World War Two are remembered by their families. Mary Bartleman: Mary Bartleman was a private who served in the Canadian Women’s Army Corp from 1939-1945. Stationed in Victoria, BC, Mary did not have to kill anyone. She received the Canadian Volunteer Service Meda for her 5 years of service. Her niece Pat, holds her Canadian Army Discharge Certificate which shows her war service badge number #293612 and her discharge date in August 1945. Mary Bartleman had enrolled at 18 years old. “She was a beautiful young lady who lived [...]

WLC and PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation explore collaboration to protect the natural ecology within W̱SÁNEĆ Territory. The PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation is a community organization active in the restoration of native ecosystems in important W̱SÁNEĆ places, as well as food systems education at ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ Tribal School and beyond. Shown above: PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱, or "Blossoming Place", the native plant nursery, garden and centre for food systems education at ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ Tribal School in W̱SÁNEĆ territory. The PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation has been operating out of the PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ or “Blossoming Place” nursery and gardens onsite at ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ Tribal School in W̱SÁNEĆ territory. PEPÁḴEṈ [...]

This time of year, around what is now called November, is traditionally known as WESELÁNEW – Moon of the Shaker Leaves  This is the moon of the big winds that come and changed the season to Winter. The wind comes and the leaves are ready to fall. Turbulence is felt in the waters and the skies. The earth is cooling down. Winter fires were lit and this was the beginning of Winter gatherings. WEATHER The days became cooler and travelling in food gathering territory was limited. The winds that came with this moon were a signal to move [...]

Please click here for details  RECENT POSTS How are we doing? Leave Us Your Feedback Here

SX̱EDŦELISIYE is a W̱SÁNEĆ community member and language revitalizer who has recently translated over 150 books into SENĆOŦEN. SX̱EDŦELISIYE (Renée Sampson), which means hummingbird woman, is is a proud mother of three daughters (TOLISIYE, LIQIŦIÁ and ŦE,ILIYE). Her passions are language learning, teaching and working with the youth. This photo is Courtesy of and the Copyright of Remington John SX̱EDŦELISIYE has been working at the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board since 2009. Until last year, she was a kindergarten teacher at the LE,NONET SCUL,AUTW SENĆOŦEN Survival School. Currently, SX̱EDŦELISIYE is the SENĆOŦEN program facilitator for both the ȽÁU,WEL,ṈEW̱ Tribal School [...]

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 [...]

The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council proudly announces they have an agreement to rename another park. Shown above - this Kiosk in McDonald Park will be removed and replaced with W̱SÁNEĆ art and SENĆOŦEN History. In alignment with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council’s mandate to promote and enhance recognition for W̱SÁNEĆ culture, the WLC has been working to reinstate W̱SÁNEĆ language and culture across the territory.  McDonald Park is located on the Northern outskirts of Sidney, BC in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The 20 hectares of forested parkland has particular historical and cultural significance for the W̱SÁNEĆ people.  McDonald [...]