News

Read the transcript below to learn more about ĆILTEN (Phil)  and the impactful work he’ll be doing with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. Can you tell me a bit about who you are and where you’re from? ÍY¸ ȻEĆIL, SI¸ÁM¸ ĆILTEN TŦE NE SNÁ ĆSELÁ¸E SEN W̱JOȽEȽP. Good morning. I am from the Tsartlip First Nation and have grown up in our community all my life. I have four children and one grandson —  three daughters and one son — and I have been part of the Tom and Bartleman family here in Tsartlip. What kind of work will [...]

Hope is Queen will pressure Ottawa IMAGE CAPTION: Chief Vern Jacks, of the Tseycum First Nation, holds a letter outlining his concerns over native rights that he’ll present to Queen Elizabeth when the monarch lands in Victoria this afternoon. “A dominant society that does not respect or acknowledge our history,” the letter states. “Our youths feel alienated because there still exists the discrimination that was afflicted on our people by the arrival of the first Europeans.”    The Queen and Prince Philip begin their Canadian tour today.  After several hours in Nunavut, Canada’s newest territory, they will land at a Canadian [...]

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 [...]

📰 Take a look at a February 1977 issue of the “Tribal News,” a window into the past of the Saanich Nation. ✨ Here’s a sneak peak at what you’ll find in this article: ✔️ Dave Elliott asserts Saanich Nation’s rightful ownership of Mt. Newton and opposes ongoing logging and land sales. ✔️ Chief Gus Bill (Tsyal-qwaya) shares wisdom and a vision of unity. 🤝🏾 ✔️ News from Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, and Tseycum bands highlight progress and challenges. 🏘️🛶 ✔️ Beautiful poems by Phoena Spahan, a Grade 10 student at Parkland High. 🧡 ✔️ And More: Land claims, local initiatives, [...]

Update on MOTI Proposed Barrier and Road Widening Project at SELE₭TEȽ ÍY, SȻÁĆEL SIÁM. The WLC Board met in March to get debriefed on what we heard at the two W̱SÁNEĆ community engagement forums in October 2023 and January 2024, and then met with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on June 19 about timelines for engagement on the Goldstream Park Median Barrier and Malahat Highway Widening Project. What We Heard: Goldstream Project Engagement In January 2024 WLC held the second of two W̱SÁNEĆ community engagement forums. Input received was consistent with what we heard in October, and included: [...]

Join Us for the WSÁNEĆ Community Seed Harvest Day at ȾIKEL! 📅 Date: October 4, 2024 🕘 Time: 9 AM - 12 PM 📍 Location: ȾIKEL (along Willow Way off Keating Cross Road) The WSÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society (WLTS) invites you to a day of community engagement, knowledge sharing, and seed harvesting. Help us gather seeds for future restoration projects while learning about upcoming WSÁNEĆ-led initiatives. To RSVP, email emilyquiring@wsanec.com . 🚗💨If you need transportation, let us know in your RSVP, and we may be able to arrange a carpool. Long sleeves, trousers, and boots or gum boots are recommended. [...]

Video: Reclaiming the Ancient Village of QENEN,IW̱ August 8 was a good day for the W̱SÁNEĆ First nation whose Traditional Homeland includes S,DÁYES/ Pender, S,ḴŦAḴ/Mayne, and ṮEḴTEḴSEN/Saturna as well as much of the Saanich Peninsula.  On August 8 W̱SÁNEĆ Elders, community members and youth came to the foot of the road overlooking Bedwell Harbour to ceremonially reclaim the ancient village of QENEN,IW̱, located at the site that Poets Cove Resort now occupies. Read More RECENT POSTS How are we doing? Leave Us Your Feedback Here

Are you an equity deserving farmer, farm worker or land-steward in Canada? Then this program is for you. 🍓 THE EXCHANGE is a national program offered by the National Farmers Union to help you maximize your long-term success in Canadian agriculture. In a cohort setting, you will have access to funding for training, grant-writing support, mentorship, networking and a centralized Resource Hub online. Come grow with us! Applications are now open until 🗓️ September 27th 2024 at 12pm EST. Learn more and apply here. Supported by the Government of Canada through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriDiversity Program. RECENT [...]

Design the WLTS Logo! We're looking for creative minds to design the new logo for the W̱SÁNEĆ Lands Trust Society. 🗓 Contest Dates: Aug 21 - Oct. 21 🏆 Prize: $750 Submit your design via email (wlc@remarkablecommunications.com) or text (250-999-1745). Preference given to Coast Salish artists and digitized artwork. For more details, visit supportlandback.com. Include a short bio, design description, contact info, and a 1000x1000 px PNG of your logo. Good luck!   RECENT POSTS How are we doing? Leave Us Your Feedback Here