Project Sea Star

It’s been my good fortune to live on the swiya (birthplace, land, "territory”) of the shíshálh Nation on and off for 20 years. I have many teachers and friends in the community, and they’ve taught me a lot. Every year, on National Truth and Reconciliation Day, there is a powerful ceremony at the  beautiful memorial unveiled in 2015. This memorial stands in the location of the former St. Augustine’s Residential School. Children stolen from 53 communities around BC and beyond lived and died here. With the aid of ground penetrating radar, 81 unmarked graves have been found on the grounds. Last year, shíshálh Chief (lhe hiwus) Lenora Joe had this powerful thing to say, as part of the statement announcing the difficult discovery: “We are not taking ownership of this trauma. Because that was done to us. But we are taking ownership of our healing, our message and our future.” Today the memorial is right in the heart of the shíshálh Nation’s government, between the Raven’s Cry theatre and the Nation’s government office. As the first self-governing First Nation in Canada, the shíshálh Nation has shared its culture and history with the town of Sechelt for 39 years - strong and steady leadership, the lifeblood of community. Sechelt has also had a community reconciliation process for many years. The Syiyaya Reconciliation Movement began as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action - particularly the ones about the importance of education. Many many projects over the years have built the connective tissue of shared work, as non-Indigenous community members have committed to the long patient work of learning and unlearning that is the prologue to reconciliation. I’ve learned so much here, and it has enriched me immeasurably. I encourage you to learn about this extraordinary Nation too. There is a wealth of film and video - people around here are incredible storytellers! shishalh.com/ facebook.com/profile.php?id=… syiyayareconciliation.ca/vid… s-yewyaw.ca/