ÍY, SȻÁĆEL (SENĆOŦEN)/eyʔ skʷéčəl (lək̓ʷiŋínəŋ)/Good day!
Hopefully the cooler temperatures are finding everyone in a good way and we are all moving through the start of September and the last little bit of Summer with good heart & mind. The further we get into fall, the more events there are likely to be so please stay tuned as the land calls us to it!
Members of the Songhees and W̱SÍ,ḴEM communities have been opening their land-based, ecosystem restoration projects and actively inviting settlers to participate. This gives us the chance to join stewards from these communities who are bringing a local conservation organization (HAT see below) into a circle of friendship, allowing us settlers of any lineage to take up our responsibilities as “visitors” here, there are heaps of chances to show up for local Nations and communities in a good way.
If you have the time and are interested, here are some events taking place this month that are all opened to volunteers. You can register for each of them on the HAT website (Habitat Acquisition Trust website!).
- PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ (a W̱SÁNEĆ community-based organization) is hosting a restoration event on Tuesday, Sept 17 from 10am-2pm at SṈIDȻEȽ (aka Tod Inlet), where they are restoring the first W̱SÁNEĆ village site. For more information, check out PH’s website, or register here.
- lək̓ʷəŋən Community Toolshed (linked to the Songhees community) is hosting a restoration event on Songhees reserve lands near Maple Bank on Sunday 22 September from 10am-1pm. You can register on the HAT site by clicking here.
- the W̱SÍ,ḴEM Ivy Project (WIP) are hosting an ivy removal work day taking place on Friday 27 September from 10am-2pm on Tseycum reserve lands. HAT once again is hosting the registration, so please click here if you are interested in coming.
In all cases, gloves and tools will be provided, as will some snacks. Bring a lunch, water, and dress appropriately for the weather (these activities take place outside, on the land, rain or shine).
Come and meet like-minded settlers, engage with members of the W̱SÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən communities, and get to know the territories. Sarah Jim, who hosts the WIP likes to say this work physically decolonizes the land, and that’s huge to support.
QENSET SW̱ HÁLE (take care everyone, in SENĆOŦEN), and have a great start to the week 🙂