News

Women's Conference: Childminders Expression of Interest The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council is hosting a Women's Conference on April 13th and 14th, 2024 at the W̱SÁNEĆ Cultural Building. We are seeking childminders for the W̱SÁNEĆ Women’s Conference! If you, or someone you know, is a Coast Salish childminder, please take a moment to apply to help out on April 13th or 14th. Must be 16+, preference will be given to W̱SÁNEĆ members and those with training. This is a paid position. This conference is a space for women, non-binary, trans and 2 Spirit to explore traditional healing practices in a safe [...]

This time of year is traditionally known as WEXES-Moon of the Frog. The frog on the face of the moon represents DOLUANW – the Keeper of the Sacred Season. It is time to gather food & medicine. The W̱SÁNEĆ People place cedar boughs at the shore so herring will lay roe on them. CONNECTIONS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION  The W̱SÁNEĆ People designated this month to sacredness and purification. For the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, this moon, in particular, is significant because the frog acts as a witness and a messenger. The frog announced the Sacred Season of Plenty. Because the frog [...]

This International Women's Day, let's give a big shout-out to the women who made "The Cowichan Sweater: Our Knitted History" film possible! We raise our hands to Mary Galloway and Tiffany Joseph the executive producers and to the hardworking all-Indigenous crew, these women poured their hearts into sharing this important story. The film explores the history of the sweaters in the Cowichan and Saanich territories on Vancouver Island and the traditional knitters from these communities. We congratulate their dedication to preserving our cultural heritage and showcasing the beauty of Cowichan Sweaters. Join us for a virtual screening tonight to honour [...]

Four Chiefs To Sit On Board    Four Saanich Peninsula band chiefs will sit on Canada's first Indian school board, it was announced Thursday at a meeting in the East Saanich Reserve community hall.    The new board will run Tsartlip day school on West Saanich Road.    The chiefs - Phil Paul (Tsartlip), Gabriel Pelkey (Tsawout), Don Williams (Pauquachin), and Sandy Jones (Teycum) - will make up an interim board along with Victor Underwood Jr., Gus Bill, Marie Cooper and Tom Sampson.    The four bands formed the Saanich Indian Education Association two years ago when they learned the federal government planned to [...]

Share your thoughts on Goldstream! At this time we are seeking feedback from W̱SÁNEĆ Community Members only. Fill out the survey W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership are seeking input on whether or not to support the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MOTI) project to conduct roadwork on the Malahat Highway where it passes through Goldstream Park. We have developed this survey for W̱SÁNEĆ members to provide input on whether or not the proposed MOTI Highway 1 project is acceptable for Goldstream. At this time we are seeking feedback from W̱SÁNEĆ Community Members only. Fill out the survey RECENT POSTS [...]

In our world, this is the true beginning of the Saanich Year. The new moon signifies a change--our days are growing longer. Nature, the moons, and the whole world are being reborn. ṈIṈENE – MOON OF THE CHILD  The face of the young man represents youth, a new beginning, the rebirth of the animal world, and the new edible shoots. This is the Saanich New Year. The moon’s yellow hair is the returning light to the world. WEATHER This is the time the Earth starts to move closer to the Sun once again. All things begin to warm [...]