The Southern Gulf Islands salmon fishery will be closed due to the confirmed presence of Southern Resident Killer Whales in Haro Strait area. These closures are in effect from July 4 until October 31, 2021. For more information on the closure protocol, please see below. Learn More MORE OPPORTUNITIES
The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council was extremely disappointed to learn of the acts of racist retribution that occurred yesterday on our sacred mountain, YOS. During the "Honouring Our Children" vigil held at the Legislative Assembly Building on July 1, 2021, the nearby statue of James Cook was removed by some of those in attendance. In response, a totem pole at the top of YOS (Malahat Ridge) was burned, and a message was left: "One Totem - One Statue." Shown above: The desecrated totem pole on top of YOS The "Honouring Our Children" vigil was intended to pay respect [...]
Prior to colonization, the W̱SÁNEĆ people were part of nature, not apart from it. Since the removal and interruption of the natural ways of being, both W̱SÁNEĆ people and the killer whales have suffered. As such, the WLC is in the beginning stages of creating a Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) Monitoring Program. The SRKW Monitoring Program is a multi-year initiative that seeks to remedy the colonial interruption by creating something that resembles a W̱SÁNEĆ Guardian Program, like many other First Nations have done. This program will restore the balance between the W̱SÁNEĆ and the KELȽOLEMEĆEN / Orcas, get [...]
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY Garden City, a local contracting company currently working on the Hamsterly Playground has expressed interest in hiring from one of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. The opportunity would start as a temporary position but has long-term potential in the future. If interested, please contact Chris Stansfield via phone at 250 385 4858 MORE OPPORTUNITIES
According to the colonial capitalist system, forests do not have financial value unless they are cut down. This extractive perspective has resulted in devastating impacts to the forests and the oceans in W̱SÁNEĆ territory. In fact, nearly all Coastal Douglas-fir-associated plant communities are considered threatened or endangered due to extensive development. Image courtesy of Raincoast.org As the non-Indigenous world, at last, begins to understand the inherent value of the earth, more and more companies and political bodies are coming under pressure to show, at minimum, a neutral impact on the environment. And, with this pressure, a unique opportunity [...]
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY The Georgia Strait Alliance is now hiring an Operations Coordinator. Position: Operations Coordinator Compensation: $22,500 for 0.5 FTE, with the ability to design own work week based on schedule and organizational needs, plus paid vacation, personal leave and flexible work environment Preferred start date: flexible based on candidate Closing date: when the position is filled Learn More MORE OPPORTUNITIES
The WLC has launched a community skills and small business showcase to enhance economic development, skills training and employment rates within the community. Shown above: Pottery by Faye Oakes Recently, the WLC created and launched an Art Protocol - specifically showcasing W̱SÁNEĆ artists that offer large scale commercial art - such as murals, totem poles, sculptures and the types of large installations typically commissioned for public buildings. The intention of this initiative was to provide culturally appropriate direction for settlers that wish to commission W̱SÁNEĆ art, ensuring proper considerations and compensation are provided. In addition to the [...]
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY Apply By June 18th. Are you interested in volunteering as a Board Member for an organization that is committed to supporting women and their right to live a life free of relationship violence and abuse? The Victoria Women’s Transition House Society is a well-established, respected and successful not-forprofit organization committed to this cause. Expressions of interest are requested from individuals who would like to volunteer on the Board of Directors for a two-year term. Learn more MORE OPPORTUNITIES
This time of year is traditionally known as ĆENHENEN. ĆENŦEḴI EȽTÁLṈEW̱JE LE TŦE SĆÁNEW̱I ENÁN JE LE U TSOS TŦE W̱SÁNEĆ EȽTÁLṈEW̱SU ȾW̱IṈETEṈs E TŦE SĆÁNEW̱NIȽ ȻE ĆÁ ŚW̱ELOXET ȽTE TŦE SĆÁNEW̱. NIȽ S,HI,WEḰ SĆÁNEW̱TŦE ŦEḴI U HÍ TŦE SṮELIṮḴEȽ X̱EN I IȽEN E TŦE ŦEḴI EȻs TUOs TÁĆEL TŦE ŦEḴI. NIȽ SU TÁĆELs ĆÍK I ĆÁȽs IȽENs TŦE W̱SÁNEĆ EȽ TÁLṈEW̱. I HO JE LE EWE ĆḴEĆEs TŦE SWÁLET SU YÁs QENETEṈ E TŦE ŚNÁEM ȻE STÁṈ Es SQÁYs TŦE SWÁLET. ÍY QÁLES TŦE SȻÁĆEL E TŦE ĆENŦEḴI ÁNW̱ȽḴÁLJ. I ȻȽ TÁĆELs TŦE W̱EW̱ELEŚ NIȽ ₭ELLET TŦE [...]
The WLC celebrates the 2SLGBTQIA + members of our community during Pride month. Shown above: the Two-Spirit Flag No matter how our members identify, or what their sexual orientation is, it’s critical all our members feel included and safe within our community. We recognize the correlation between good holistic health and the freedom to be who you truly are. It is a month to celebrate our friends and relatives who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ Indeed, there is much evidence to suggest that strict gender roles and heteronormativity are concepts imposed upon us through colonization. Many Indigenous cultures have terms [...]
