NE SĆÁLEĆE (SENĆOŦEN)/nu schala’cha (lək̓ʷiŋíʔnəŋ/my friends,
With the arrival of the new moon of SX̱ÁNEȽ, the Bullhead moon, the winds of last week and earlier this week are making heaps of sense, and bringing in some good energies with them. Learn more at the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council’s instagram post about this moon and how it interacts with ĆENQÁLES (hot earth) and how these territories are moving into what in English we call summer.
For us W̱ENITEM (settlers, though this word was once mostly used for settlers of anglo descent), moving into the warmer season is a great chance to get out on the land and support the work of our hosts. It’s a season to be on the land, to be in relationship, and of action. It was sweet as seeing so many familiar faces at the April PH and late April W̱SÍ,ḴEM Ivy Project events! So nice to be back on the land with this community! Total blessing.
Here are a couple of events that our hosts are calling us to on W̱SÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən territory. More will be added as they get posted for the rest of the moon, so check back as we go (especially for the Maple Bank events). If you have some tools, feel free to bring those, gloves too! Bringing a lunch, some snacks, and water is also a good call. PH has tools and gloves, and the HAT supported event will have some snacks, but otherwise you’re on your own!
- PEPÁKEṈ HÁUTW̱ are hosting 2 events through May, the first is on 11 May 10am-2pm. To register and for more info check them out here: https://www.pepakenhautw.com/events
- PH’s 2nd event is on 22 May, this one supported by HAT. All the info is currently here, and you can register following this link as well: https://hat.bc.ca/volunteer/1mk5hh45uf7lgw95q1yiljb6ct1bmp
- UPDATE: Our friend Sarah Jim and the W̱SÍ,ḴEM Ivy Project are hosting a work party in the beautiful Tseycum forests on 31 May 10-2pm, closing out the month in a good way! With HAT supporting the event, you can sign up here: https://hat.bc.ca/volunteer/6vev3w98nsrf2qm2uddyeq9prs1p6q
- UPDATE: the lek̓ʷəŋən Community Toolshed will be hosting an event at Maple Bank in on Sunday 9 June 10-1pm. Take a look at the event here, and register: https://hat.bc.ca/volunteer/lekwungen-community-toolshed-maplebank-restoration-event
PEPÁKEṈ HÁUTW̱ is also hiring. Take a look at their main page (here) for the description and how to apply. DEADLINE is May 12!
UPDATE: The Yellow Wolf Powwow has been announced! While they aren’t yet taking volunteer registration, there has been a save-the-date put out there for July 19-20-21, 2024 at ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱, the Tribal School on West Saanich Road. When the volunteer registration comes up it will be posted here!
See you on the land under the sun (or the rain that some of our leafy relations still really badly need). QENSET SW̱ (take care)!