₭EŚENTEL – Walking Together/Standing Together/Supporting One Another
Join us at the 2026 National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations on SḴŦAḴ / Mayne Island
At the time of writing this it is PENÁW̱EṈ, the W̱SÁNEĆ Moon of the Camas Harvest, when plants and flowers are full of growth and blooming. On the island, the SḴŦAḴ Ethnobotany Garden, dedicated to W̱SÁNEĆ knowledge and culture, is riotous with growth. To mark its completion, we invite you to join the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations on Friday, June 19.
The day begins at noon with a ‘reconcili-action’ lunch at the Agricultural Hall, where islanders and W̱SÁNEĆ community members can ‘feast together’ while sharing stories and conversation. This fundraiser will support SENĆOŦEN language immersion students from LENOṈET W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Secondary School travel to a Climate Action Summit in Australia this fall, where they have been invited to present. The lunch will feature local food prepared by island cooks with thanks for generous sponsorships from Fry’s Bakery, Fernwood Coffee, island hunters, and others. All ticket proceeds will support the students. You can join in this reconcile-action by purchasing a ticket to ‘Feasting Together.’ Tickets available here.
At 1 pm, we will celebrate the completion of the SḴŦAḴ Ethnobotany Garden by gathering there with drummers and dancers from the LENOṈET W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Secondary School and Elder J,SINTEN/ Dr John Elliott who will lead us with words, drumming and song in blessing the garden. All are welcome to enter through the new gates and view the new interpretive signs and all the flourishing plants!
From the ethnobotany garden, we will parade to ÁLELEN (AY-le-lung), also known as Miners Bay Park, where everyone is invited to join National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations featuring W̱SÁNEĆ-led workshops, music, games, language, stories, art, refreshments, and more. The event at ÁLELEN / Miners Bay Park will run from 2 to 4 pm and end with a closing circle to give everyone a moment of reflection.
In contemplating this project – I recall words from artist, Sarah Jim, who created the artwork for the murals and new interpretive signs in the garden who told us: “Bringing back the indigenous species to their homelands is affecting all of the beautiful creatures – relatives – coming back, flying back, crawling back to those lands. That’s a part of reconciliation.”
And from SX̱EDȾELISIYE, a W̱SÁNEĆ teacher and knowledge keeper, who said:
“This project is more than just a garden; it is bringing the indigenous species back to their homelands. And that’s how we feel every time we come back to SḴŦAḴ – that we’re coming to our homelands to have presence, to let people know we’re still here, and that this is our home.”
And, as always, there are powerful and wise words from W̱SÁNEĆ Elder J,SIṈTEN / Dr John Elliott who told us:
“Hopefully in the future there is peace of mind here. Peace of mind at last – we call that reconciliation between the settlers and our First Nations people, because we have to move forward. We have lots of work to do to return the health back to this island. The sacred waters and sacred lands here – everybody needs to look after that together and heal in a good way. But we must do that together with a good heart.”
To learn more about the SḴŦAḴ Ethnobotany Garden, please visit the Walking Forward with the Past website, where you will find a plant list, photographs and videos.
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations are a collaboration between the Mayne Island Truth and Reconciliation Circle, the Mayne Island Conservancy, Mayne Island Library and the W̱SÁNEĆ Tribal School. We have received generous support from island residents, Mayne Island Parks and Recreation Committee, Mayne Island Lions Club, the CRD Arts Development Services, and Tour des Illes.
IY, ȻENs TÁĆEL HÁLE / It will be good to see you all!
0 Comments