Seablush and SEMSEM͸E (Bumble bee) at PKOLS
Summertime brings three moons of W̱SÁNEĆ: the PENÁW̱EṈ (Camas Harvest Moon) in June, the ĆENŦEḴI (Sockeye Returns Moon) in July, and the ĆENHENEN (Humpback Salmon Returns Moon) in August.
Bonus: To learn to pronounce the names of each of these moons, visit the NIȽ TU,O “Speak” page.
During PENÁW̱EṈ, certain families travelled to harvest ḰȽO¸EL (camas) – the primary source of starch available in W̱SÁNEĆ’s territory. Camas gardens are known as ḰȽO¸ELENEȻ. Two common ḰȽO¸ELENEȻ include PENÁW̱EṈ (Patos Island) – which was named for its camas harvest during this moon – and the beautiful X̱ODEȽ (Spieden Island) – an island known as the daughter of X̱O¸X̱DEȽ (Mandarte Island). In addition to harvesting ḰȽO¸EL, W̱SÁNEĆ harvested gull eggs at X̱ODEȽ. Unfortunately, egg harvesting, for the most part has ceased due to a colonial ban implemented in the 1960s.
Also during this time of year, W̱SÁNEĆ begins to move back out into the territory from the Winter Villages on the Saanich Peninsula. W̱SÁNEĆ summer village sites were located on Mayne Island, Salt Spring Island, Saturna Island, Prevost Island, the lower mainland, including ḴIȾEY a fishing village on the Fraser River, and throughout many of the San Juan Islands. W̱SÁNEĆ also travelled to surrounding communities for potlatches and other gatherings during this time.
Map of San Juan Islands with W̱SÁNEĆ names from “Saltwater People” (More maps available in PDF)
While this seasonal movement no longer continues in the same way, the spirit of it is carried forward through the annual Tribal Journeys, War Canoe races, soccer tournaments, Bone games and Potlatches.
During Tribal Journeys, canoe families paddle long distances across ancestral waterways stopping in host communities on their way to their final destination. During each visit, paddlers share songs and dances with the host community, and in return, the host community provides amenities and food. At the final stop, all canoes gather for five days of Protocol. Tribal Journeys is a way that pre-colonization traditions have adapted and changed in the progressively more colonized environment.
This year’s Tribal Journey event culminates in Protocol Days, hosted by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (Elwha), in July. W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council’s (WLC) Director of Operations and Co-Founder Gordon Elliott participated in the Canoe Journey, contributing to the revitalization of this traditional practice while connecting with relatives near and far.
Another W̱SÁNEĆ community member, Rob Louis of Pauquachin, also joined Tribal Journeys this year, marking his 21st year as a participant. For Louis and his canoe family, preparation involves practicing songs and dances to prepare for meetings with other communities, as well as practicing paddling on the water to ensure a smooth journey. This season of preparation began with an awakening ceremony in early June, marking the first time the canoe was placed in the water. Once Protocol Days near, the canoe family will spend 3-4 days paddling towards Elwha. Along the way, the family made visits to Pauquachin, Tsawout, Esquimalt, and Beecher Bay. Louis described the importance of his participation in his own words, sharing:
I know from travelling these 20 years on canoe journeys that it’s a way to bring us together as a whole, from Nuu-chah-nulth people to Washington Coast people to Olympic Washington folks to Upper Straits folks and Fraser River families. We are coming together as a whole to practice what was practiced years ago.
He added, “It’s a lot of work, but it’s a way of life.”
WLC congratulates all the paddlers participating in this year’s Tribal Journeys. Additionally, WLC invites and encourages settler allies to get involved by either donating to support a canoe family on the journey or by attending the event.
Whether you are a settler looking to learn more about W̱SÁNEĆ or a community member looking to stay in the loop regarding WLC’s latest happenings, be sure to subscribe to WLC’s newsletter.
