Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

‘Industry doesn’t understand what our people know’: WSÁNEĆ chiefs call for halt to commercial herring fisheries

By Spencer Sacht-Lund, IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

WSÁNEĆ* hereditary chiefs are calling for an immediate moratorium on all commercial herring fisheries in the Salish Sea prior to the season’s expected start later this month.

Surrounded by relatives and members of the community at Tulista Park in “Sidney,” overlooking the ocean, four hereditary chiefs read aloud a joint declaration Wednesday morning — coming together for a public, unified call to action for the first time in 40 years, the leaders said.

Continue reading ‘Industry doesn’t understand what our people know’: WSÁNEĆ chiefs call for halt to commercial herring fisheries →
Indigenous Nations, Justice

Canada’s Special Interlocutor calls for reparations and accountability in final report on unmarked graves

By Jeremy Appel,  Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – Canada’s special interlocutor for missing children and unmarked graves and burial sites associated with Indian Residential Schools has released the final report of her mandate, providing recommendations on how the government can honour the memory of the thousands of children who were killed at forced assimilation institutions.

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Indigenous Nations History

Campbell River supports adoption of Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Names

The city of Campbell River is supporting a Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ [pronounced Lee-gweeth-dowkh] Nations request to change the official names of Discovery Passage to “Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Passage”, Quinsam River to “Kʷənsəm,” and Tyee Spit to “ʔuxstalis [pronounced Oox-sta-lease].”

It has been three months since the BC Geographical Names Office informed the city of the proposed changes. 

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Indigenous Nations History, Politics

Campbell River Place Names Proposal: Update

In September of this year, Currents reported on a proposal from Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ [pronounced Lee-gweeth-dowkh] Nations (We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah) for the formal renaming of various locations in the greater Campbell River/rapids area. The new names would be drawn from First Nations language and tradition.

Three of these place-names are local to the city of Campbell River. The well-loved park now known as Tyee Spit would be renamed to ʔuxstalis [pronounced Oox-sta-lease], the spelling of the Quinsam River would be updated to “Kʷənsəm River”, and Discovery Passage would be renamed to “Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Passage”.

Continue reading Campbell River Place Names Proposal: Update →
Arts, Indigenous Nations

Jody Wilson-Raybould challenges Canada’s history in new book

By Abby Luciano, North Shore News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It was a full house at West Vancouver Memorial Library Sunday night in celebration of former Liberal MP Jody Wilson-Raybould and author Roshan Danesh’s latest book, Reconciling History: A Story of Canada.

The book shares the voices of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, touching on Canada’s history of colonization and how that history has been painted.

“We definitely still have a long way to go, and there’s still horrible disparities and realities. But I think we have to take stock in recognizing that there has been constructive change and continue to build on it,” Wilson-Raybould said.

Continue reading Jody Wilson-Raybould challenges Canada’s history in new book →