On the brisk afternoon of March 19th, 2026, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) staff and community members gathered for W̱LC’s annual open house – a celebration of W̱LC’s work uplifting W̱SÁNEĆ in 2025 and kick off for the many projects planned in 2026.

Shown Above: W̱LC Team 

The open house took place at W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Office from 1PM to 6PM. Guests milled about the space with plates full of delicious catered food in hand, enjoying conversations with one another and taking in the brightly coloured displays filling every room.

Each display provided an overview of a key component of W̱LC’s work, and staff members stood nearby to provide engaging presentations on the subject matter, answer community members’ questions, and collect feedback to help guide ÁLI SĆȺ (all the good work) W̱LC plans to embark on in 2026. The environment was relaxed and collaborative, with plenty of time and space for conversation between visitors and W̱LC’s staff.

Policy and Negotiation Analyst Eryn Rogers, for example, offered a beautiful presentation on the work of the Indigenous Management Board (IMB) – the Board put in place to support W̱SÁNEĆ and our neighbours efforts to take up and take back traditional roles, responsibilities, and authorities over Coast Salish lands and waters in alignment with the IEȽȻIȽTEL or nuts’a maat kws ‘i’ shul’ hwilasmut tu skwul ‘i’ kwthe’ Accord. Rogers presented on IMB’s shared vision, the tools IMB is assessing – including the Proposed National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR) – and many other details regarding the Board’s ongoing work.

Eryn Rogers presents on the IMB. 

Rogers also presented on the Respect for All Relations Program, a community-driven partnership of First Nations organizations, university researchers, and environmental groups working to uphold Indigenous laws and change colonial laws in BC to promote healthier relationships between humans and nature. She incorporated opportunities for community members to provide feedback into her presentation, ensuring the work is guided by many community members’ visions.

Referrals Manager Laurie Whitehead presented on Referrals, the Archeological Committee, and SELE₭TEȽ (Goldstream). At the centre of her presentation sat a celebration of a recent success: B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit’s decision to halt the expansion of the highway at SELE₭TEȽ. This win comes thanks to countless hours of advocacy by W̱SÁNEĆ, led by Elder Carl Olsen. Whitehead also presented on PKOLS, the Provincial Repatriation Policy and Mount Work among other issues.

Laurie Whitehead presents on Referrals, the Archeological Committee, and SELE₭TEȽ.

W̱SÁNEĆ Land Trust Society’s (W̱LTS’s) ȻENEṈITEL Program Coordinator Jackie Ohayon, Lands Trust Manager Katie Blake, and Knowledge Weaver Laurie Henry presented on W̱LTS’s work returning traditional lands to W̱SÁNEĆ and restoring those lands damaged by colonialism. Ohayon, Blake, and Henry described the purpose and goals of W̱LTS’s work and provided information about the history, return, and repair of ȾIKEL (Maber Flats) – a piece of traditional land returned to W̱SÁNEĆ through W̱LTS in 2023.

W̱LTS staff Jackie Ohayon presents on W̱LTS’s purpose and goals.

W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council Director of Operations Gordon Elliott helped guests understand the foundations of W̱LC’s work with a presentation on W̱LC’s Board, staff, bylaws, mandate, constitution, organizational chart, goals and strategies, and more.

WLC and QENTOL, YEN / W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians’ Annual Reports

Policy/Negotiations Manager Joni Olsen presented on the Indigenous Right to Self-Determination (RIRSD) and nation building, and the recently signed agreement between the W̱SÁNEĆ First nations and the Victoria Airport Authority.

Local Government Program Manager Ned Taylor presented on his work advocating for the interests of W̱SÁNEĆ in collaboration and conversation with local governments. More information about this work is available on the local government section of W̱LC’s website.

Shelly Kemp, QENTOL, YEN / W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians’ Southern Resident Killer Whale Marine Biologist and Interim Manager, presented on the program’s work combining traditional knowledge with modern technology to protect the endangered population of KELŁOLEMEĆEN (Killer Whales) and monitor the Salish Sea, as W̱SÁNEĆ’s ancestors have done since time immemorial. More information about this work is available on QENTOL, YEN’s website.

Marine Use Planner Shauna Johnson and Junior Marine and Land Use Planner Marissa Jim presented on W̱SÁNEĆ’s Marine and Land Use Plan and the multi-year initiative to bring it to life. Through their presentation, Johnson and Jim shared about the priorities at the centre of the initiative – including community health and wellbeing, economic development, and W̱SÁNEĆ language and culture – and the ways W̱LC is working to ensure the plan is community based and community driven.

Marissa Jim presents on W̱SÁNEĆ’s Marine and Land Use Plan.

Finally, Knowledge Weaver Phil Tom presented on his work supporting the revitalization of clam gardens in the Gulf Islands and Community Engagement Coordinator Eric Pelkey presented on the SX̱OLE / Reef Net Fishing Project,

Eric Pelkey’s presentation on the SX̱OLE / Reef Net Fishing Project, Renaming projects, W̱SÁNEĆ Rights and Title, and more.

After a full afternoon of conversation and learning, guests returned home with door prizes and copies of W̱LC’s 2025 annual report in hand, leaving W̱LC staff ready to face the year ahead firmly rooted in the vision of the broader community.

W̱LC is grateful to all the staff and community members who made this year’s open house a success and looks forward to integrating the wisdom shared and feedback received during the event into ÁLI SĆȺ in 2026 in beyond.

To stay up to date on future opportunities to engage with W̱LC, and for regular updates on  W̱LC’s many initiatives, be sure to sign up for W̱LC’s newsletter.