“Honour our ancestors through our Elders & recognize our future through our youth.”

On July 7– 9th, 2015, the Chief and Council of the Tsawout First Nation, the WSÁNEĆ Elders, King and Queen Doug and Kathy LaFortune, the BC Elders Gathering Society and hundreds of volunteers and supporters welcomed about 5000 visitors to the 39th Annual BC Elders Gathering on the Saanich Peninsula.

The WSÁNEC Nation is comprised of five bands: Tsawout, Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tseycum, and Malahat. Their name means “Emerging People” which refers to those ancestors who survived the Great Flood and emerged to live lives of prayer and thankfulness, caring for each other and sharing the Good Teachings.

39th Annual BC Elders Gathering

The logo that King Doug LaFortune created describes the theme of the event: Thunderbird that represents ancient wisdom and teachings of stories; the Mountain that saved people from the Great Flood; the Canoe that represents the journey of life; the messenger/trickster Raven that guides and teaches values; and the Adult who hands down teachings to the Child.

Much celebrating took place with storytelling and laughter, feasting and singing, drumming and sharing of culture by Elders who are reclaiming their heritage and healing the wounds left by Residential School.

Veterans were honoured for the sacrifices they made during the wars and on their return when, stripped of their Indian Status, they were no longer allowed to live on the reserves and were forced to settle nearby to be close to their families.

The entire event was recorded and can be seen on YouTube: check out ‘30th BC Annual Elders Gathering’ Bidding for the totem pole was won by the Chilcotin Nation who will host the 40th Annual Elders Gathering at Williams Lake in 2016.

With the support of their neighbouring communities, the Carrier and Shuswap Nations, they promise a “Wild Wild West Show” with lots of music and performances to entertain everyone.