Truth andReconciliation is ajourneyofhealingtogether
CHIEF JEN THOMAS
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
This Monday,Sept. 30, marks the fourth observance of the NationalDay for Truth and Reconciliationand the 11th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day.
As Chief of səlilwətaɬ (TsleilWaututhNation), Iwant to recognize the importance of this day both to our community and to our friends and partners My hope is that as we shareour history, cultural and language heritage, and truths as TsleilWaututh people, that we have these truths acknowledged, understood, andshared by everyone.
These lands and waters have sustained our People since time out of mind. We have asacred obligation to restoreand protect themfor the benefit of our next seven generations and all members of thewider community.
Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Jen Thomas talksonhealing ahead of Truth and ReconciliationDay this Sept.30. TWN
We aresharing our truth, our existence, and our jurisdiction of who we are. We aretellingour story, in our own voice, which shapes the way people see us today as Tsleil-Waututh Nation, astrong, forward-thinking, and proudcommunityonthe shores
of səlilwət(BurrardInlet). Through this lens, we can reach a deeper understanding across all cultures, and bridge ties with our neighbours.
At our community gathering forSept.30, we arehonouring Indigenous leaderswho have carried the heavyworkofreparations over the years, to bring the Band Reparations Class Action lawsuit to settlement, in support of survivors.
National Day forTruth and Reconciliation is asolemn one, but we arecoming together to also pick our spiritsupand allow joyto touch all Tsleil-Waututh members to help with healing. At our gathering, members will celebrate Tsleil-WaututhNation’s truth: our ancestral and enduring ties to ourterritory, our family lineage, our richculture, and our hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. Our ancestors stood up for us and we will always uphold their teachings.
In previous years on Sept. 30, our səlilwətaɬ community retraced the steps thatmy dad and our relatives took everyday to and from residential school
The trauma caused by residential schools is feltbyour survivors as well as intergenerationally
Our Nation will forever provide healing supporttosurvivors, includingwraparound health and wellness programs to ensurethey receive holistic andculturally safe care.
As you aredriving through our community along Dollarton, we encourage you to take note of the orange banners displayed on light poles and consider why it’simportanttoustohonour our residential and day school survivors. The illustration on the banner depicts amoon face, rain, lightning and plant kin,and was designed by Tsleil-Waututh artist Ocean Hyland.
Iencourage everyone to keep
National
your hearts and minds openin learning about the suffering and trauma that we and our relatives endured at residential andday schools. We welcomeour allies in supporting Tsleil-Waututh Nation day school andresidential school survivors by donating to our Residential School Survivors Fund (twnation.ca/how-to-supporttwn). Your contribution will make adifferenceinour members’ healing journey
As People of the Inlet, we have always beenhereand we will always be here. We arehereto carefor our landand water. We will continue to upliftthe work of truth and reconciliation, making our ancestors and Elders proud. Jen Thomas is the elected Chief of Tsleil-Waututh Nation. TheNational Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing pain or distress as aresult of residential school experiences: 1-866-925-4419.
On this National Day forTruth and Reconciliation, let us come together as anation to honour,acknowledgeand reflect on the profound impacts of residential schools on Indigenous communities and stand in solidarity with survivorsand their families.
Former St. Paul’sIndian Residential School Memorial, North Vancouver
JONATHAN WILKINSON Member of Parliament,North Vancouver
@JonathanWNV
Squamish Nation hosts inaugural honourary event at Senáḵw
MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) will be ramping up honorary efforts this Truth and Reconciliation Day with an inaugural luncheon event and ceremony.
The first of its kind to take place “in over a hundred years,” the event will initially be open to members, with a special call for Elders who live off the reserve and away from the community, said elected council member Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams). There will be a select few specially invited names, including North and West Vancouver mayors and council.
Set to take place on the Sen̓áḵw construction site near Kitsilano in Metro Vancouver, it will see 400 construction workers, 50 per cent of whom are Indigenous, don an orange shirt designed by a Squamish Nation artist. Shirts will also be provided to all guests.
Williams, acting as MC for the afternoon’s event, will be joined by Mindy Wight, CEO of the Nation’s Nch’Kay Development Corporation, Musqueam Indian Band Chief Wayne Sparrow, and a number of other Squamish Nation speakers.
Running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 27, guests can expect drumming performances, speeches, food and prayers.
A large facet of the event, said Williams, will be honouring residential school survivors from the Squamish and other Nations. An honouring ceremony will see the survivors blanketed while the Nation shares songs, speeches and acknowledges those survivors who have passed on.
“In every indigenous community throughout Canada, we’re on this healing journey We don’t have many residential school survivors left, and this is part of their healing journey, to be recognized and acknowledged,” said Williams.
“That’s not just as a survivor, it’s for them to know they’re truly valued and loved and respected as Indigenous people.”
Williams said the event, and Truth and Reconciliation Day as a whole, is an opportunity for people to honour the survivors in the way they deserve, in a way that is a far cry from how they were treated when they were enrolled in such schools, and weren’t “allowed to practice their culture or be truly themselves,” said Williams.
“As Indigenous people they weren’t allowed to speak their own language. They weren’t allowed to practise ceremonies. All those things were against the law, and they lived a life of confusion,” he said.
“We’re here to empower them and hold them up in big, big honour by blanketing them.”
The event is part of the “healing and medicine” the Nation wants the survivors to receive, he said.
The first of many Sen̓áḵw Truth and Reconciliation Day events, Williams said he hopes to see it blossom over the years and grow to accommodate the general public and visitors to Vancouver.
“We’re going to ask everyone who’s in attendance to be a witness, to share what they saw, and to hopefully attract more people,” he said.
“Not just because it’s a Squamish Nation event, but because we’re in a real time of pride coming back to our Indigenous communities, and for us to do it in our village of Sen̓áḵw is overwhelming, to say the least.” Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
The Squamish Nation will be hosting an Truth and Reconciliation event on Friday, Sept 27 NSN FILES
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Tsleil-Waututh Nation honours survivorswithpowerful banners
MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com
Local Journalism InitiativeReporter
The səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-WaututhNation) is honouring residential school survivors via the installationoften orangelight pole banners, ahead of the National Day forTruth and Reconciliation thisSept. 30.
The banners arepostedatvarious locations, with five raised alongreserve land on Dollarton Highway,including one in front of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation cemetery.
The design is the logo from aprogram theNation’sTruth and Reconciliation committee working on, overseeing theground penetration work atNorth Vancouver’sSt. Paul’sResidential School and encouraging survivors to tell their story, said Tsleil-Waututh Nationcouncillor Charlene Aleck.
Combining acrying moon face, rain, lightning and plant kin, theillustration, designed by Aleck’s daughter,Tsleil-Waututh Nation artist Ocean Hyland,isasymbol of both pain and healing, said Aleck.
“Ithas aperson weeping andthenall themedicines that we have withinour traditions to help us heal and be guided by,” she said. “Byputtingthe program on that banner we raise thatawareness and give not onlyour community,but everyoneoutsideofour community,the space to have that importantconversation.”
Installedsince Sept.4 andlikely in placefor at least six months, Aleck said shehopesthe banners incite thoughtand conversation“leading up to and hopefully long after” the National DayofTruth and Reconciliation.
“Having these banners up andknowing that this dayismarked as aholiday gives people thatcuriosity,and helpstospark informedstories,” she said.
Unlikeprevious years, the Nation will notbehostingany large-scaleevents to acknowledge the day. Instead,there will be small-scale,community-driven gatheringsthatfocus on thesurvivors of theresidential schoolsystem and the students that nevermadeithome, she said.
It’sasimilarapproachtaken by other localFirst Nations,withthe
Honouring our Neighbours the Tsleil-Waututhand Squamish Peoples
Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw(Squamish Nation)also set to host its inaugural Truth andReconciliationDay luncheon, an honouring of thepastand present survivors of theresidentialschool. Held at the Sen̓áḵwconstruction site near Kitsilano in MetroVancouver,itwill be open to Nation members andmayorsand council on theNorth Shore.
“However youpay homage or honour is agoodway,whatever that lookslike, whether youpray or singorbeout on the land. As long as it’swiththe memoryof theonesthat endured theseatrocities in theseinstitutions in mind,” saidAleck.
Aleck said it is notthe scaleofthe acknowledgment that is important, as long as thereisanhonouring of some kind.
“We’re at an age and at atimewhere ‘I don’tunderstand’or‘Idid notknow’ doesn’t really fly anymore, because everything is at your fingertips. Youcould push abutton and learn about residential schools. There’smovies, there’sstories, there’slotsofinformation outthere,”she said.
“People can do their ownhomework and notfully rest it on theFirst Nations to do all theworkand relive thetraumas.And if it’swithin their capabilities, become an ally or offer friendship.”
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’Indigenous and civic affairs reporter This reporting beat is madepossible by the Local JournalismInitiative.
On Truth and Reconciliation Day, and as part of the ongoing journey of reconciliation, we pause to recognize and honour residential school survivors, those who were lost, and their families.
Neptune Terminals values the traditional knowledge of the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Peoples, and their stewardship of the lands and waters. We are proud to operate within their traditional territories.
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation is marking National Dayfor Truth and Reconciliation with tennew orangelight pole bannersin the community. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Exhibition on decolonizationlinks Canada and SouthAfrica
MINAKERR-LAZENBY
MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com
Local Journalism InitiativeReporter
The latest exhibition to come to North Vancouver’sGriffin Arts Project is encouraging visitorstoconsider the effects of decolonization, aptly in time for NationalDay of Truth and Reconciliation.
Running from Sept. 28 to Dec. 15, Future Worldings is an exhibition of six separate artists,three from South Africa and three from Canada, whose practices highlight decolonization efforts.
Partofanongoing project that encompasses international exhibitions, three unique in-person residencies, aconference and public programming, theconcept initiallybegan three years ago when the galleryhosted the artists foradigital residency during the pandemic. The two-month residency was so successful thatthe artists vowed to unite in person
show Relief in South Africain June.
NTATEPHAKELA
once travel restrictions were eased.
Sḵwxwú7meshÚxwumixw (SquamishNation) and Kwakwaka’wakw artist Xwalacktun hasbeen joined by Calgary artist Nura Ali and first generation Korean-Canadian artist Sun Forest in hosting the exhibition on home soil, while Wezile Harmans, Lebogang Mogul Mabusela,and Pebofatso Mokoena will be making their Canadian debut.
While each artist uses different mediums and produces unique artworks, the parallelhistories of the movements in Canada and South Africa, which had its firstTruth and Reconciliation Commission in 1996, put astring of cohesion throughout the pieces, said Mabusela, amulti-disciplinaryartist based between Johannesburg and Pretoria.
“It’ssofunny,because we make such different work, but thereare so many tethers that areuniversal to our group, and so many things thatwe’rethinking about in terms of decolonization, in terms of language, in terms of storytelling, in terms of narrative, identity and politics,” she said.
“Thereare so many things that arecrossing over,even though they manifest in such different ways in everybody’sindividual practices.”
Sculptor and master carver Xwalacktun led the first residency
OnthisNationalDayforTruthandReconciliation,itisessentialtorecognize thehistoryandongoingimpactsofcolonization,especiallytheinjusticesof ResidentialSchools.Iencourageyoutodedicatetimetoday—andevery day—tolearning,reading,andlisteningtothestoriesofsurvivors,both withinourcommunityandbeyond,aspartofourjourneytowardstruth andreconciliation.
patrick.weiler@parl.gc.ca @patrickbweiler 604-913-2660 PATRICKWEILER Member of Parliament for West Vancouver Sunshine Coast-Sea to SkyCountry
of the series in May and June this year,travelling to Johannesburg for aweek to meet curators, artists and fellow master carvers and visit various arts organizations.
One of the most notable symmetries, said Xwalacktun, was how theyall, especially in thecontext of decolonization, regarded the natural world.
“We’restill caught in our cultureofstorytelling and howwe’re focused on the environment,” he said.
“And that’ssomethingthat is evident in our work.”
By provoking the conversation around decolonization, theexhibition encourages the audience to learnfromthe histories of both countries and grow from that knowledge, said theGriffin’sLisa Baldissera, who co-curated the exhibition alongsideUshaSeejarim and Karen Tam.
“Layer by layer,weall gain insight about what couldpossibly
be ajourney forward,” shesaid.
“Each countryhas aunique historyand hasits own process around the TRC, but we canstill shareinsights about what it means to hope to movepast and through aprocess of decolonization. It’s just an opportunitytodeepen our knowledge so that we can be more effective in our own movement forward.”
The final residencyiscurrently taking place at Griffin, wherethe artists areengaging in aone-month creationperiod, connecting with the city’shistorythrough onsite work and interacting with local curators, culturalworkers and arts organizations like Emily Carr University and theMuseum of Anthropology
What will come from that residency,said theartists, is anyone’sguess, but no matter the pieces, Xwalacktun assured they will “startaconversation,” as art always does.
DAYFOR TRUTHAND RECONCILIATION
We reflectand remember. TheDistrict of West Vancouver is committed to truthand reconciliation with our actions and ourwords.
Wear orangeonSeptember 30 to honour thelost childrenand Survivors of ResidentialSchool andtheir families, culture,languages, andcommunities.
We learntogether
Xwalacktun leads an addressand gifting at the opening of the group
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Tsleil-Waututh’s urban farm growing food to feed aNation
MINA KERR-LAZENBY
MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com
Local Journalism InitiativeReporter
The small garden the TsleilWaututh Nation began afew shortyears ago has blossomed into athriving urbanfarm.
The Nation, as partofits Ćećǝwǝtlelǝm Helping House, Health and Wellness Program, has been pursuing food sovereignty tocreate amoresustainable and nutritious diet for its community
What began with just 17 plantersalmost adecadeago hasexpanded to comprise two gardens brimming with produce, and a40-foot hydroponics container farm that keeps vegetables blooming long through winter.
In recent weeks asmokehouse, built to storeupto200 fish, has been erected opposite the TsleilWaututh Cultural and Recreation Centre,ready to be booked for usebymembers. Asecond hydroponics unit is in the works and, in
just afew weeks time, achicken coop that sits at the foot of the main garden sitewill be alive with egg-laying hens.
“From my first year,there were about six people interested in the garden. Now,we’ve got 60 families alone on the reserve getting vegetables, and then we have about 20 to 30 members off reserve that come to get vegetables,too,” said the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’sgarden co-ordinator Claudette George.
George has managed the garden since its inception around eight years ago, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, that the community began to seriously invest in producing food for members on Tsleil-Waututh land.
As Andrea Aleck, the Nation’s director of health and wellness, began leading health programs, the two would join forces to findnew ways to bring education on nutrition, cooking, food
Agarden harvest,laid outata market to be takenbyNation members MINA KERR-LAZENBY/ NSN
production and distribution to members.
“Wehave acouple of individuals who have developed programs based on what health challenges people might have, and everybody gets adifferent customized plan of what we can harvest out of the garden to replenish deficiencies or help conditions,” said Aleck.
Alongside the fruits and vegetables areplantsand herbs traditionally used in Indigenous medicines, providing education to memberson both nutrition and their own culture.
Tobacco, aspiritual tool used to heal the body andmind,and
aplant oftenput forward as an offering during community ceremonies, is grown in abundance and hung to dryatthe garden’s entrance.
The Tsleil-Waututh Nationgarden is brimmingwith vibrantfruits and vegetables. MINA KERR-LAZENBY/ NSN
PUBLIC HEARINGS
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLANAND ZONING BYLAWAMENDMENTS
When: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 7pm
Where: CouncilChambers, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC
How: ThePublicHearingswillbeheldinahybridformatwithacombination of in-personand electronic participationbysomeorall members of council,or by staffand thepublic. Thepublicare invited to attend at theCouncil Chambers wheretheywillbeable to see andhearthe entire proceedings.Those wishingtoviewortoparticipate in themeetingselectronicallymay do so at https://dnvorg.zoom.us/j/64484156494 or by phonebydialling1-778-907-2071and enteringwebinar ID 64484156494.
Twopublic hearings will occur consecutively:
What: APublicHearing for Bylaw8650, proposed amendments to the OfficialCommunityPlan(OCP) andBylaw 8651,proposed amendments tothe Zoning Bylaw, to permit thecreation of 23 stackedtownhomes at 1900,1903, and1950Sandown Place.
What changes: Bylaw8650proposestoamendthe OCPlanduse designation of thesubject site from ResidentialLevel 2: Detached Residential(RES2)toResidential Level4:TransitionMultifamily (RES4).
Bylaw8651proposestoamendthe District’s Zoning Bylawbyrezoning thesitefromSingleFamily Residential3(RS3) to ComprehensiveDevelopment Zone 147(CD147).The CD147Zone addressespermitted and accessoryuses, conditions of use, andzoningprovisionssuchas density, amenities, setbacks, height,buildingand site coverage, landscapingand stormwater management, andparking,loading andservicing requirements
When and How can Iprovide input?
1915 to 1987 GlenaireDrive and 1974, 1982, and 1990 Belle Isle Place
What: APublicHearing forBylaw 8672,proposedamendments to the OfficialCommunity Plan (OCP) andBylaw 8673,proposed amendments to theZoningBylaw,topermitthe creation of 104stacked townhomesat 1915 to 1987 Glenaire Driveand 1974,1982, and1990Belle Isle Place.
What changes: Bylaw8672proposestoamendthe OCPlanduse designation of thesubject site from ResidentialLevel 2: Detached Residential(RES2)toResidential Level4:TransitionMultifamily (RES4)
Bylaw 8673 proposes to amend the District’s Zoning Bylaw by rezoning the site from Single Family Residential 3(RS3) to Comprehensive Development Zone 153(CD153). The CD153 Zone addresses permitted and accessory uses, conditions of use,and zoning provisions such as density,amenities,setbacks,height, building and site coverage, landscaping and storm water management,and parking, loading and servicing requirements.
We welcome your inputonTuesday,October 1, 2024 at 7pm. Youmay sign up to speakatthe hearings by contacting theCorporate Officer at signup@dnv.org priorto3pm,Tuesday,October 1, 2024.You mayalsoprovide awritten submission at anytimeprior to theclose of each public hearingby sendingittothe CorporateOfficer at input@dnv.orgorbymailtoCorporate Officer,355 West Queens Road,District of NorthVancouver,BC, V7N4N5. Afterthe speakers list hasbeenexhausted,there will be an opportunityfor additional speakers whohad notsignedupinadvance to make submissions. Please note that Council maynot receive furthersubmissions from the public concerning each application after the conclusion of each public hearing.
Need moreinfo?
Relevant background material and copies of the bylaws are available forreview at the Clerk’s Office, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver,BC, Monday toFriday, 8am to 4:30pm, except holidays, from September 17,2024 to October 1, 2024 or online at DNV.org/agenda
Questions aboutSandown Place?
Graeme Budge,Development Planner 604-990-2356 or budgeg@dnv.org
Questions aboutGlenaireDrive/Belle Isle Place?
Franki McAdam,Development Planner 604-990-2411 or mcadamf@dnv.org
1900, 1903, and 1950 Sandown Place
Garden helps the Nation grow
Children of the Nation’s siʔáḿθət school learn about the cultural importance of the plants when they visit the facility. They are hands-on with the maintenance and harvesting of the garden, and are regularly joined by young children from the daycare who collect ripe tomatoes and strawberries.
Learning exactly where the food on their plates comes from encourages the students to embrace a more nutritional diet, said George. She remembers past diets of her own family, often processed meals washed down with soda, and said she is grateful for the garden for introducing her to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle that includes exciting new recipes.
“I knew how to cook with potatoes, because my grandma did it, but beets and kale and eggplant have been really interesting vegetables to bring around the reservation,” she said.
Now, the community has become so involved with the garden that members are requesting fruit trees to plant in their own front lawns. George said the streets within the reserve are starting to look like they did long ago, before colonization, when an orchard of “three different kinds of cherry trees, of plum trees and apple trees,” would bear fruits for the Nation.
“I think one of the most important aspects of this program is creating a lasting legacy, and paying respect to our ancestors, and how they lived on the land and the beauty of going back to growing fruits and vegetables back in our own territory,” said Aleck.
“We need to be respectful of the process and the work that was done long before us. We’re really just picking up the tools that our ancestors left for us.”
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
October2nd,2024
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The smokehouse can smoke up to 200 fish. MINA KERR-LAZENBY / NSN