A tale of two Coast Salish blankets

By Cara McKenna

Rare woolly dog hair found in blanket at Burke Museum

A Coast Salish blanket being shown in Seattle is believed to be the only one in a Northwest museum that’s confirmed to be made with the hair … Read More

Pulling Together: canoe journey wraps on shores of Vancouver

Photos by Cara McKenna

A 10-day canoe journey finished up on the shores of Vancouver on July 14, as paddlers were granted permission to come ashore by Coast Salish leaders.

It was the first time in 16 years that the … Read More

Work begins on Canada’s Indigenous Languages Act

By Cara McKenna

On June 15, Canada announced it will work on a law to preserve, protect and revitalize Indigenous languages, with goals to complete it by 2018.

Federal ministers say the Indigenous Languages Act will be created collaboratively with … Read More

qaymɩxʷqɛnəm: the comeback of ʔayʔaǰuθəm at Tla’amin

By Cara McKenna

qaymɩxʷqɛnəm is a word in Tla’amin First Nation’s traditional language that means “to speak in the native language.”

And that’s exactly what people are doing more and more of at Tla’amin, as revitalization efforts – and excitement … Read More

Tum’kw’e’lus

By Edith Moore, NmTC communications liaison, Halalt First Nation

Summer (Tum’kw’e’lus) is here…what does it mean to you?

I think it’s safe to say that when you think of summer you think of family time. Some of my … Read More

Learning Indigenous language positive for health, research shows

By Kristy Williams, Indigenous Family Doctor

Williams, a new doctor, attended a Hul’qumi’num language class at Snuneymuxw to learn from elders as part of a research project during her final year of studies at the University of British Columbia. … Read More

Stz’uminus students sing a song for B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor

A group of Stz’uminus Grade 6 students performed for B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor in Victoria on June 28 after winning a prestigious songwriting contest.

The class from Stz’uminus Community School was one of four winners for their original song “Chances.”

The … Read More

Reawakening culture through growth at Klahoose

By Cara McKenna

Culture is at the core of all the work that’s been done since a new chief and council were elected at Klahoose First Nation in April.

In several months, the community raised funds for a Tribal Journeys … Read More

Learning Hul’qumi’num

More than 100 students participated in this year’s Spup’titul Hul’q’umi’num Language Competition at Ladysmith Secondary School on June 1.

The group from School Districts 68 and 69 included both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students of all ages.

Fourteen teams spoke the … Read More

Raven John: Transformation & Art

By Tessa Vikander

Raven John’s namesake, the raven, is “a trickster, a teacher, a transformer,” something John relates to as a two-spirit artist and activist.

John – of Coast Salish (Sechelt) and Stó:lō (Chawathil) background — is a recent graduate … Read More