WLC

ȾIKEL Land Back Ceremony Marks Historic Moment On August 18th, 2023 the W̱SÁNEĆ community held a ceremony to celebrate the return of a 47.5-acre parcel in the heart of ȾIKEL (Maber Flats) from the Berglund Family to W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society under the Ecological Gifts Program. The ceremony held on August 18th, 2023 marked a historic moment: the first return of land to an Indigenous organization in Canada under the Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Ecological Gift Program. The land returned is a 47.5-acre parcel in the heart of ȾIKEL (Maber Flats). The land was originally wetlands stewarded [...]

QENTOL, YEN Featured on CBC Radio 1 In a recent captivating interview on CBC Radio 1, David Dick, the Senior Manager of the QENTOL, YEN / W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians program, discussed the publication of KELL̵OLEMEĆEN: The Introduction. Listen to the segment here In the interview, David shares his insights into the release of KELL̵OLEMEĆEN: The Introduction. This significant work not only celebrates the W̱SÁNEĆ people's marine heritage but also introduces children to the fascinating world of orcas, fostering a deeper connection with marine life. Beyond conservation, the book is a stepping stone into the SENĆOŦEN language, allowing readers [...]

Times Colonist: Aug 26, 1980   Bay marina nixed By STEPHEN HUME      Colonist Staff    Central Saanich council and the lands, parks and housing ministry expressed serious reservations Monday about a marina proposed for Saanichton Bay.    Council said at its regular meeting that the application by Saanichton Marina Ltd. should be given “no further consideration,” and that “after considerable study of the plans, council continues to have reservations in respect to the application.”    And the special projects branch of the lands, parks and housing ministry said in a letter to Mayor David Hill that the proposed 400-berth project “is so located [...]

On Saturday, August 12th, Hōkūle'a arrived in Ganges on their journey around the Pacific. W̱SÁNEĆ Community Members were there to welcome them to Kanaka wharf. Read on for arrival photos and bios of the Hōkūle'a crew. Leg 6 Moananuiākea Voyage  Vancouver, B.C. to Seattle, WA  Bruce Blankenfeld  Hometown: Niu Valley, Oʻahu  Bruce Blankenfeld first sailed on Hōkūleʻa during training sails in 1977 and volunteered in dry dock, learning how to care for Hokuleʻa from his mentor Wally Froiseth. He also studied non-instrument navigation under Nainoa Thompson and Master Navigator Mau Piailug, who honored him with Pwo in 2007.  [...]

W̱SÁNEĆ Nation holds ceremony in celebration of 45.7-acre parcel transfer to W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society Land donation marks the first in Canada under the Ecological Gifts Program "W̱SÁNEĆ Community Members engaging in Cultural Protocol at land return ceremony at ȾIKEL" (August 18, 2023 - Victoria, B.C.) – A momentous ceremony was held today to celebrate the historic transfer of 45.7 acres of land from the Berglund Family, via Brentwood Developments Ltd., to W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society (WLTS) under the Ecological Gifts Program. The event marked the first-ever donation of land in Canada under this program to an Indigenous [...]

This time of year is traditionally known as ĆENŦÁWEN. ĆENŦÁWEN ĆȽ ENÁ TÁĆEL TŦE SȽEMEW̱ĆEḴSOT TŦE STOLU ȻNIȽs LÁSETs TŦE STOLU E TŦE SĆÁNEW̱Ȼs TÍYELs. ȻNIȽs ŦOṈs TŦE ÁYET TW̱E ŚELEṈ E TŦE ȾEMEȻE ȻNIȽs ELXOTEṈs TŦE XIW̱E ṈÁLṈELs TŦE ȾEMEȻE. ȻȽ YÁ IȾȽOṈESET TŦE SȻÁĆEL ȻNIȽs YÁ,s TŦE SWO,EU,LES ŦOṈ EMNIEṈ E TŦE SMÍEŦ. NIȽs YÁ,s TŦE SȽENȽÁNI ELXOTEṈ TŦE KEXMIN ȻNIȽ ŚW̱HÁQs TŦE W̱ILṈEW̱E TŦE SMIȽE ȻȽ ENÁ, W̱ḰELWEȽ TŦE SJELW̱EṈ. ĆENŦÁWEN-THE COHO SALMON RETURN TO THE EARTH This moon marks the arrival of the Coho Salmon. WEATHER The first rains begin to break the drought [...]

Times Colonist: Aug 13, 2014   Acquire Grace Islet to protect burial ground BEN ISITT    Today, Capital Regional District directors will consider a proposal to acquire Grace Islet in Ganges Harbour off Saltspring Island for the public purpose of protecting the First Nations burial ground.    While the primary obligation to protect First Nations cultural heritage sites resides with the provincial government, it has become sadly apparent that the provincial government and Forests Minister Steve Thomson have no intention of exercising this responsibility, notwithstanding requests from W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich Nation) and the six nations in the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, the Islands Trust [...]