W̱SÁNEĆ Reconcili-Action

The Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Centre has a history of Community to Community engagement with the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations who are the original inhabitants of ṮEṮÁĆES (the Southern Gulf Islands). With support from the Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) we have implemented two Reconciliation Projects: the ṮEṮÁĆES Climate Action Project and the ṮEṮÁĆES Revitalization Project.

As part of the ṮEṮÁĆES Revitalization Project a community workshop led by W̱SÁNEĆ Elders was held on S,DÁ,YES in the Fall of 2022 to discuss Reconcili-Actions. An extensive list of potential Reconcili-Action projects was developed at the workshop and was subsequently discussed with W̱SÁNEĆ Elders.

W̱SÁNEĆ Reconcili-Action Project Details

The Elders selected as key priorities:

  • Creating SENĆOŦEN language signage for appropriate locations on S,DÁ,YES
  • Engagement with youth to increase accessibility and reconnection to homelands for W̱SÁNEĆ young people

The newest project; the ṮEṮÁĆES Restoration Initiative, is a signage project and will enhance cultural understanding by installing signage and educational artwork at key locations on S,DÁ,YES (Pender Island).The project is supported by  REFBC and Heritage BC.

W̱SÁNEĆ Reconcili-Action Projects

ṮEṮÁĆES Restoration Initiative

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ṮEṮÁĆES Revitalization Project

Revitalization project venue with a group of people.
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ṮEṮÁĆES Climate Action Project

Project Details

Our Logo

“This ÁLEṈENEȻ (homeland) image references a story of the creation of our home- lands here in W̱ SÁNEĆ. In the story, we say that the creator made our homelands, the islands (ṮEṮÁĆES) and high mountains from stones he casted. The stones however, were actually people who emanated good qualities that the creator believed we should all have. The creator told the islands as he cast them outward, “take care of your relatives.” In the image, the creator speaks to one of the islands before he casts them out, while the human form appears in a stone that is suspended in mid air and an island emerges from the water opposite the creator.“ by artist David Underwood — PENÁĆ

Learn more about our logo.

Partners and Supporters

Our Valued Partners

The success of the ṮEṮÁĆES Reconciliation Projects is due to the valuable contributions from our many partners.   The projects were implemented by the ṮEṮÁĆES Reconcili-action team with administrative and bookkeeping support from the Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Centre .

The W̱SÁNEĆ School Board has been an important partner on all 3 of the ṮEṮÁĆES projects, as has the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council.

The W̱SÁNEĆ Elders (SELW̱ÁN) provided valuable guidance and leadership for all projects.

A number of community organizations have been involved including the South Pender island Historical Society, The S,DÁ,YES Truth and Reconciliation Circle and the Pender Island Recreational and Agricultural Hall Association.

Major funding for all 3 ṮEṮÁĆES projects has come from the Real Estate Foundation of BC.  The financial capacity to develop and deliver these projects would not have been possible without them and the community acknowledges the Foundation’s generous contribution.

The Capital Regional District provided seed funding to start the ṮEṮÁĆES Climate Action Project and has been supportive of other projects.

The Raincoast Conservation Foundation played a vital role in the ṮEṮÁĆES Revitalization Project. Raincoast provided their research vessel, the Achiever

to transport groups of W̱SÁNEĆ youth and elders to the Gulf Islands for video workshops and Community engagements. In addition an experienced videographer, Alex Harris, who worked with Raincoast acquired the majority of  the video footage for the videos.

The University of Victoria’s Living Lab Project supported the ṮEṮÁĆES Revitalization Project and continues to collaborate with the ṮEṮÁĆES Reconcili-action team .

Heritage BC has provided partial funding for the ṮEṮÁĆES Restoration Initiative through its Heritage Legacy Fund.

About the Living Lab logo

 

This project was funded inpart by Heritage BC through the Heritage Legacy Fund

 

Elder SELILIYE (Belinda Claxton) and Monica Petrie at Pender Community Hall.