Relationships between Canada’s First Nations and settlers have been hugely impacted by the work of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
But relationship-building with the First Nations of the Gulf Islands had begun even earlier, developing slowly as essential trust was established. We recall the powerful connections created between the Penelakut people and some Salt Spring settlers more than 20 years ago when the disposal field for a sablefish hatchery was proposed for a known Penelakut gravesite. Similarly, the Penelakut and others worked hard to stop a house from being built on Grace Islet gravesites in Ganges Harbour in 2012 after the project was already underway. Collaboration in that case resulted in the province stepping in to buy the islet.
Since those earlier days the number and strength of connections have continued to surge. Among several examples is an Indigenous Interpretive Panels project completed last year through First Nations and settler collaboration that has seen beautiful signs installed at Fernwood dock and at Ganges Alley. School District 64 has engaged in cultural and relationship-building activities. The Salt Spring library now has an Indigenous coordinator and an art- and book-filled Indigenous learning area (ITOTELNEW̱ HÁUTW̱ / Tatul’ utew’t-hw) was opened this year. For these and other efforts the library was honoured with a British Columbia Library Association award for its truth and reconciliation work. The Stqeeye’ Learning Society and its Xwaaqw’um land purchase have also had a major impact.
The historical society and archives group also launched its amazing First Nations website and interactive Indigenous Placenames maps in time for National Indigenous Peoples History Month, inspiring everyone to learn the Hul’q’umi’num’ or SENĆOŦEN names for many spots on Salt Spring Island and their significance to those peoples.
Next weekend — Friday, June 21 to Sunday, June 23 — the fruit of the relationship-building and cultural resurgence will be fully ripe with the first Indigenous Peoples Weekend festival running on Salt Spring. Tours of special sites, artist demos and an Indigenous arts market, plus music, feasts, fundraisers and all kinds of community-building activities are taking place.
Continued work on and celebration of reconciliation and moving forward together is at the heart of the festival. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate.