W̱SÁNEĆ Community Gathering: Join the Fun from April 16th to 18th

All W̱SÁNEĆ people are invited to attend the W̱SÁNEĆ Community Gathering, a three-day gathering taking place at Saanich Fairgrounds on April 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2026. Each day includes a full schedule of festivities, beginning at 8:30AM and continuing through 8:30PM.

See full agenda in the slideshow below.

This W̱SÁNEĆ Community Gathering is an opportunity for all W̱SÁNEĆ communities to come together to have fun, talk with one another, and learn about current issues and opportunities impacting W̱SÁNEĆ. Each day will be exciting and nourishing for attendees of all ages, and will include three delicious meals, nightly entertainment, and vendors and booths to explore, and lots of prizes.

Day one of W̱SÁNEĆ Community Gathering – Thursday, April 16 – the schedule includes a series of engaging learning opportunities for attendees of all ages, including a presentation and discussion on the Douglas Treaty, past, present and future, talks on the W̱JOȽEȽP Loss of Use Study, a presentation and panel discussion on Nationhood, a presentation on the Respect for All Relations research project, and a Marine and Land Use Planning presentation.

Respect for All Relations: Community Knowledge Sharing Session

Join Elders, youth, and community knowledge holders for a powerful gathering grounded in W̱SÁNEĆ teachings and relationships with the natural world. Through stories, reflections, and dialogue, this session invites you to explore connections with your more-than-human relatives – SȽEMEW̱ (water), ṮELEṮEĆES (islands), animals (i.e. SMÍEŦ (deer)), PIŚ (fish), and more. This session will consider how W̱SÁNEĆ relationship to these beings shape the way W̱SÁNEĆ interact with them, and input from this session will be used to inform plans for Community “On-the-Land-Learning” Sessions and Focus Groups that will be held later this year.

This work is part of a much broader community-led research project being undertaken by the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, the Haida Nation, Tsilhqot’in, and Lower Fraser River Fish Alliance, with the University of British Columbia. Over the next four years, the project will support W̱SÁNEĆ community to explore whether/how W̱SÁNEĆ want to change the western law to better respect and reflect your traditional relationships with the natural world. This session offers a chance to learn about the project, guide the research, and contribute to an ongoing conversation about law, respect, and responsibility.

Day two – Friday, April 17 – will be no less exciting. Special events include a blanketing ceremony and, after dinner, bingo with lots of prizes. During the day, attendees are invited to continue learning about issues affecting the future of W̱SÁNEĆ. Learning opportunities include a special presentation on Cowichan Tribes v. Canada – Lessons Learned & Nations Working Together – Success Stories as well as a second day of presentations on Nationhood, the W̱JOȽEȽP Loss of Use Study and ȾIKEL Restoration Plan, and the Douglas Treaty.

Finally, on day three – Saturday, April 18 – attendees are invited to enjoy an extra special event: a comedy performance by Howie Miller, a renowned Cree comedian known for his participation in festivals across Canada and his appearances on Comedy Network, CBC, and Showtime. Leading up to the big event, guests can continue to engage with learning opportunities by attending presentations on Cowichan Tribes v. Canada, the Cordova Bay Fish Wall, QENT IPCA, and SȾÁUTW̱ Marine Law. Guests can also choose to participate in ongoing discussions on Nationhood and the Douglas Treaty, two critical topics affecting W̱SÁNEC.

To make the most of each day, W̱LC recommends attendees arrive by 8:30AM to enjoy morning refreshments before diving into a full day of browsing vendors’ offerings, engaging with community, sharing delicious food, and enjoying entertainment.

To ensure childcare and transportation do not pose an obstacle to attendance for any community members, both are available for those attending W̱SÁNEC Community Gathering.

Childcare will be available for those attending learning sessions from 9:00AM until 12:00PM and from 1:00PM to 4:00PM each day.

Transportation is available to and from the event, with pick up taking place throughout the morning and drop off taking place at the end of the day. Pick up locations include the band offices of SȾÁUTW (Tsawout), W̱SĺKEM (Tseycum), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), and W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip).

The full schedule of activities, plus more information about transportation and childcare, is available here.

We look forward to a fun and enriching celebration. All W̱SÁNEĆ are welcome, so sharing this invitation among family and other community members is encouraged.

Questions? Contact Joni Olsen at joni.olsen@wsanec.com.

To stay up to date on this event and to learn about all the ways W̱LC uplifts W̱SÁNEĆ, be sure to subscribe to W̱LC’s newsletter!

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