Dual-language signage with W?SÁNE? names could soon be the reality for some Central Saanich street, park and trail signs if a motion is approved by the district’s council.
The motion, put forward by Coun. Niall Paltiel, asks the district to work with the W?SÁNE? Leadership Council to develop a program that would incorporate traditional SEN?O?EN names on signage in key areas and roads.
“What we’re hoping to end up within specific parks, trails or road areas would be a sign that clearly has the municipal road that we see today … and then some sort of clear understanding or representation of the traditional W?SÁNE? name or historical significance for that area,” said Paltiel.
Part of the motion’s significance, Paltiel explained, is having a discussion about the history and importance of the traditional names and area.
“I think returning or acknowledging a language for our neighbours at Tsartlip and Tsawout First Nations,” he added, “is important for building culture, building understanding and building recognition.”
It’s a step towards reconciliation and one that is in the right direction, said Tsawout First Nation councillor Mavis Underwood.
“I think it’s more than a project, I think it’s a milestone,” she said. “I think it’s a real achievement in looking for ideas of reconciliation that are particularly meaningful.”
The SEN?O?EN language has a lot of significance to the W?SÁNE? people, especially in its connection to the land, Underwood added.
“Our teachings, our education came off the lands first, before public schools, before residential schools, it came off the land and the water,” she explained. “The ability to navigate throughout traditional territory was very important and that was done by naming landmarks and naming historic events.”
Underwood said if the motion is approved, it will allow the W?SÁNE? people to put their markers into the land and connect people with their history.
“We want people to know that we were and are rich [in history] and strong people,” Underwood said. “[We’re] trying to recover as much as we can and to impart our existence into the history of Canada.”
Which landmarks would be chosen for the signage if approved, Paltiel said, would be determined in discussion with the W?SÁNE? Leadership Council.
The motion also includes connecting with the districts of North Saanich and Saanich to consider their interest in the project, as some streets run through both municipalities.
Jasmine Bala
