News

Four Chiefs To Sit On Board    Four Saanich Peninsula band chiefs will sit on Canada's first Indian school board, it was announced Thursday at a meeting in the East Saanich Reserve community hall.    The new board will run Tsartlip day school on West Saanich Road.    The chiefs - Phil Paul (Tsartlip), Gabriel Pelkey (Tsawout), Don Williams (Pauquachin), and Sandy Jones (Teycum) - will make up an interim board along with Victor Underwood Jr., Gus Bill, Marie Cooper and Tom Sampson.    The four bands formed the Saanich Indian Education Association two years ago when they learned the federal government planned to [...]

UNDRIP and Local Governments The everyday decisions and actions of local governments – ranging from regulating significant natural areas and hunting grounds to creating regulations that directly affect the health of the land and water – have profound, often harmful impacts on the rights of W̱SÁNEĆ. In fact, there are so many cumulative impacts from these decisions, there is no longer a place in W̱SÁNEĆ territory where W̱SÁNEĆ can practice inherent or treaty rights without watchful judgment. XPȺ¸ (Western Redcedar) - W̱SÁNEĆ Territory Yet, any local government body has very little obligation to consult with or consider W̱SÁNEĆ Rights. [...]

Meet Patrick Elliott (Traditional Name: Thuyquletse’) From the W̱SÁNEĆ and Stz'uminus territories, Patrick is a rising star recently honoured with the Greater Victoria Athletic Award! Overcoming challenges with resilience, he’s now focused on mentoring young athletes and giving back to his community. Patrick has overcome injuries and self-doubt, building mental toughness and discipline. Now, he’s giving back by coaching, mentoring, and inspiring First Nation communities. What’s next? University soccer and chasing greatness! Go to https://wsanec.com/ to learn more about Patrick’s inspiring journey! Who are you, and where are you from ÍY SȻÁĆEL HÁLE XÍXELÁȾE TŦE NE SNÁ ĆSE LÁ,E [...]

⚽ Meet Katia Olsen! ⚽ As the manager, organizer, and proud auntie of the W̱SÁNEĆ Islanders U16 girls' soccer team, Katia is helping young athletes stay motivated, build community, and chase big dreams! 🌟 From training hard in the gym to fundraising for the Hawaii International Tournament 🌴, Katia is making sure these girls have every opportunity to grow, compete, and create lifelong memories. 💙🏆 Support the team as they gear up for their next big challenge! 🙌🏽 Who are you to the team? My name is Katia Olsen, and I manage the W̱SÁNEĆ Islanders U16 girls' soccer team. [...]

This time of year is traditionally known as WEXWS-Moon of the Frog. The frog on the face of the moon represents DOLUANW – the Keeper of the Sacred Season. It is time to gather food & medicine. The W̱SÁNEĆ People place cedar boughs at the shore so herring will lay roe on them. CONNECTIONS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION  The W̱SÁNEĆ People designated this month to sacredness and purification. For the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, this moon, in particular, is significant because the frog acts as a witness and a messenger. The frog announced the Sacred Season of Plenty. Because the frog [...]

Breaking News: History made as ŦE,ITḴEN,IST I SȽEW̱ ÁL,NOṈET SĆȺ,Í, a Joint Statement by the W̱SÁNEĆ Chiefs of Tsartlip, Tseycum First Nations, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation acknowledge the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation is the beneficiary of and successor to the North Saanich and South Saanich Treaties of 1852. The signing of this Joint Statement is the result of months of hard work by W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership & Staff. Please sign up for our newsletter & follow us on socials to be notified of the upcoming community celebration and ceremony. View Final Joint Statement PDF [...]

Indian Chief Hits Poverty Culture    “Poverty culture,” not Indian culture, is the main barrier preventing Indians from taking their rightful place in society.    Tsartlip Chief Philip Paul, administrator of Indian Vocational Training Services in Victoria, emphasized this when he headed a panel discussion on the education of Indian children held at the Institute of Adult Studies Monday evening.    “We’re dealing with a basic economic situation,” he said.  “We must hold discussions, sift information and carefully build up Indians to the point where they can fully participate in society.”    The panel was the outcome of a dispute last December sparked by [...]

This year’s open house at W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) brought community members and WLC staff together for a whole afternoon of learning, fun, and reflection on WLC’s work uplifting W̱SÁNEĆ in 2024. The 2025 open house took place at W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Office on Thursday, February 13th. WLC warmly welcomed community members with snacks and door prizes, setting a celebratory tone for the afternoon. With snacks in hand, community members and WLC staff met, chatted, and connected. Those interested in an in-depth look at WLC’s work enhancing recognition of and respect for W̱SÁNEĆ rights, title, and culture also enjoyed presentations [...]