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Have your say on whether W̱SÁNEĆ should negotiate for a "National Marine Conservation Area Reserve" (NMCAR) as a tool for retaking governance and decision-making within W̱SÁNEĆ territories. Session will include information and community discussion on: The Indigenous Management Board (IMB) - the eleven-Nation alliance  (from W̱SÁNEĆ to Snuneymux) IMB discussions with the Crown to date: IMB vision to take up and take back roles, responsibilities and authorities Seeking Nation to Nation level discussions A proposal being developed for an NMCAR Work underway to assess whether the NMCAR proposal is what Nations want We want to hear your views to help [...]

Save the Date: The W̱LC's Annual General Meeting will be happening on Dec. 18th. Stay tuned for more information. RECENT POSTS How are we doing? Leave Us Your Feedback Here

   Totem raising is 'a day in history' Tseycum First Nation celebrates deal with province over road construction, burial sites JUDITH LAVOIE Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Sat, Nov 17, 2012 A decades-old dispute between a Saanich Peninsula First Nation and the provincial government took a tentative step toward reconciliation Friday. As Tseycum First Nation celebrated the unveiling of a newly refurbished totem pole on West Saanich Road, Aboriginal Relations Minister Ida Chong offered regrets for the hurt caused by construction of the road over historical burial sites. "We can't change the past, but we need to move [...]

ÍY SȻÁĆEL Ladies! Oooshk! It’s cold out! Need to stay warm out there.. Let’s do some knitting together! I’ve gathered some ladies to help teach, all materials will be provided. If you’re already working on some knitting or other projects, bring it with you. We will make a head band or cuffs. This will be happening for two evenings, to ensure we can have our work complete. As mentioned in the poster materials are limited so, please make sure to let me know you will be attending by emailing  “RSVP Knitting”  to Shantelle.Voyageur@wsanec.com November 27th & 28th Wednesday and Thursday [...]

The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council extends our deepest condolences on the passing of John Horgan. His legacy as a leader who dedicated his career to serving the people of British Columbia will be remembered with great respect and gratitude. Throughout his time as Premier, John Horgan demonstrated a strong commitment to building meaningful relationships with communities across the province. He made a genuine effort to connect with Indigenous Nations, showing a level of openness and willingness to listen that was vital in fostering better understanding and collaboration. His approach was characterized by humility and a deep respect for the diverse voices [...]

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 [...]

When: November 12, 2024 at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Where: WLC Board Room, 800b Stellys Cross Rd, Saanichton, BC V8M 1J4 Please join us in welcoming our new Women's Coordinator, Shantelle Voyageur! Share a meal together, food will be provided. Bring any projects you've been working on, any crafts you have. We are excited to get back into our women's gatherings on a regular basis. Can't wait to visit, see you soon! Please note *** Child minding may become available with advance notice. RECENT POSTS How are we doing? Leave Us Your Feedback Here [...]

You are invited to witness the unveiling of the Indigenous memorial monument erected in honor of brothers Edward, Ben and George Underwood. 10:00 AM: Meet at Tsawout First Nation 10:20 AM: We will walk across the street to the monument site. Call or text 250-896-6166 for more information RECENT POSTS How are we doing? Leave Us Your Feedback Here

This time of year, around what is now called November, is traditionally known as WESELÁNEW – Moon of the Shaker Leaves  W̱ESELÁNEW̱ ȻNIȽs IYAḴs TŦE SȻÁĆEL CȽs ENÁ, ȻESȻOU TŦE ĆEḴ SPW̱ELO ȻNIȽ EN ŚW̱HOÍ ȻENs HÁQEW̱ ȻNIȽ ENs LÁSET ȻEms SJELȻÁSEṈ. ȻNIȽs PIW̱EṈs TŦE SȾOȾȽEs TŦE SḴALÁLṈEW̱W̱SITEṈ EṮ W̱ESELÁNEW̱SQÁ, ȻENs HÁUE ṮÁ,. U TW̱OMET ŚW̱OL ȻENs KEPT TŦEN SIȽEN STÁSEȽ E TŦEN ÁLEṈ. NI TŦE YÁ, TÍYEL EMNIEN E TŦE KEYIEĆ EȻ TUOs ȻESȻOU TŦE ṈAḴE YÁ, TELSENETEṈ NIȽ Ȼs ÍYs ȾOȽEṈ EW̱E Ȼs ḴELELs SȽIḰs TŦE KEYIEĆ. ȻNIȽs ĆEḰUSEs TŦEN QEȽ W̱ILṈEW̱ȻNIȽ ENs LÁSET ȻENs MIȽE. [...]

Tribal Councils and other collaborative bodies – are organizations where multiple bands sit together to provide services, to create access to the resources, to meaningfully advance the rights of Indigenous communities, to lessen competition and to take care of internal business before meeting with external organizations or governments. Collaborations such as Tribal Councils are important because they are Indigenous governance structures. Their unified voice challenges the colonial argument - that western governments need to manage territory because First Nations are divided and do not have the structures in place to manage shared spaces. W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) Policy and [...]