HELISET TŦE SḰÁL: Hundreds gather in Victoria to promote Indigenous language resurgence worldwide

Photo: Songhees Coun. Garry Sam, surrounded by other Songhees leaders, opens the conference.

Songhees Nation’s Indigenous Lekwungen language has been in a precarious state in the community, says Coun. Garry Sam, with just one fluent speaker who is in his 80s. 

But now, the language has started to come full circle … Read More

T’Sou-ke cuts ribbon on new businesses

Photo from left: T’Sou-ke Coun. Allan Planes, Coun. Rose Dumont, Natassia Davies, Shelley Davies and Chief Gordon Planes.

T’Sou-ke First Nation has officially opened a gas station, coffee shop and Indigenous retail store on its land — something leaders say will be the first of … Read More

Klahoose youth lead project to ‘paddle with ancestors’

Klahoose First Nation has commissioned eighteen new canoe paddles that are etched with the names of ancestors from their village. 

The paddles are being used by the community in this year’s Tribal Journeys to Lummi Nation in Washington State, so that community members make the long … Read More

RDN unveils last of five Coast Salish art pieces

Snuneymuxw Elder Lolly Good speaks in front of the spindle whorl by carver William Good. Photos courtesy of RDN.

The Regional District of Nanaimo has unveiled the last of five pieces of Coast Salish artwork that were commissioned for its boardroom … Read More

Klahoose hosts second annual ‘Awaken the Canoes’ event

Klahoose hosted its second annual canoe safety training event this spring, as pullers prepare to make the journey to Lummi for this year’s Tribal Journeys. 

Awaken the Canoes (ti:ǰit nuxʷɛɬ) involved a couple dozen pullers coming together at the nation on Cortes Island over … Read More

Canoe ceremony honours Indigenous women

Tla’amin member Ta’Kaiya Blaney was lifted inside of a canoe and walked along Vancouver’s waterfront during a women’s honouring ceremony that coincided with the end of Canada’s MMIWG inquiry. 

A group of men carried Blaney, who sang a song that she composed in honour of her late … Read More

Matriarchs: Victoria gallery showcases prints by Indigenous women

Photo: Curator Margaret August and her piece ‘Elapsed Time.’

A new exhibit in Victoria is showcasing graphic prints by Indigenous women — all selected by an up-and-coming Coast Salish artist. 

Matriarchs: Prints by First Nations Women at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria was guest curated by Margaret August, who comes from … Read More

Lummi Nation ramps up efforts to help endangered orcas

Photo: An orca totem carved by Lummi’s House of Tears carvers arrives in Bellingham, WA, after being journeyed across the United States.

After wrapping up a totem pole journey for an orca in captivity, Lummi Nation has launched a campaign to help dwindling southern resident … Read More

Tla’amin trailblazer receives honorary degree for work in Indigenous sovereignty

Photos courtesy of UVic.

Joe Gallagher (k̓ʷunəmɛn) of Tla’amin Nation has been given an honorary degree for his trailblazing work around Indigenous self-determination and cultural safety. 

Gallagher was awarded with an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Victoria during a convocation ceremony on June 11. He was one of … Read More

‘Strength and courage to be true’: Two-spirit members lead Tsleil-Waututh in pride celebration

Photo: Tsleil-Waututh members Xwitenat Laura George (centre) and Meghan Ormandy wear a pride flag and transgender rights flag after paddling them ashore.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation raised rainbow and transgender-rights flags inside of their new administration building during a LGBTQ+ pride celebration … Read More