Joe Dodge (left) and Frank Planes are ready to serve visitors

The Sooke Potholes is one of the best known and well-loved camping and recreation spots on southern Vancouver Island. Except, as of Jul 10, it has a new name – Kwl-uchun – which means ‘spring salmon place’ in the SENĆOŦEN language.

But the many T’Sou-ke First Nation members working at the campground won’t mind at all if you use the old name. In fact, they’ll probably even help with the pronunciation. T’Sou-ke took over management of the park from the Capital Regional District last month and will operate the facility, with its 67 camping sites and other facilities, until at least Oct. 5. The CRD took over the park last year from previous operators, The Land Conservancy of BC, which was facing financial difficulties.

Chief Planes at one the parks fire huts

“The Sooke Potholes is known to our people as the place where the spring salmon give themselves back to Mother Earth,” T’Sou-ke Chief Gordon Planes said. “We are the Salmon People and our language follows the salmon route. We are directly connected to the resource – it is part of our identity.”

Along with maintenance of the 67-site campground, T’Sou-ke members will be sharing information with visitors about the cultural significance of the area. One feature of the area is the glacial formations called ‘potholes’ which were carved out by moving boulders in the last Ice Age. The clear deep pools are popular swimming spots for visitors.

“The spring salmon have taken care of us since time immemorial,” Planes commented. “It is time for us to return that favour – not only First Nations, but all of us.”

For more information, go to Parks and Recreation and Culture tab at www.crd.bc.ca