Indigenous reconcilliation

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps speaks during a March 11 ceremony where the city celebrated formally supporting the Songhees Nation’s treaty negotiations with B.C. and Canada. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Victoria supports Songhees Nation treaty negotiations with B.C., feds

Land claim agreement would return three parcels within city to First Nation

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps speaks during a March 11 ceremony where the city celebrated formally supporting the Songhees Nation’s treaty negotiations with B.C. and Canada. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Ry Moran, a University of Victoria associate librarian of reconciliation, was one of the researchers involved in developing the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer’s first report. (Photo courtesy of Nardella Photography/University of Victoria)

Report finds gaps in understanding of impacts of Canadian residential schools

UVic researcher helps craft report tracking state of Indigenous reconciliation in Canada

Ry Moran, a University of Victoria associate librarian of reconciliation, was one of the researchers involved in developing the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer’s first report. (Photo courtesy of Nardella Photography/University of Victoria)
Oak Bay agreed in principle to adopt a call to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s summary report that asks all levels of government to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)

Oak Bay takes principled approach to reconciliation

Proposed task force would build paths in a manner respectful to First Nations’ resource capacity

Oak Bay agreed in principle to adopt a call to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s summary report that asks all levels of government to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)
Trutch Street is named after B.C.’s first lieutenant governor, whose policies displaced Indigenous people across the province. It will soon be renamed Su’it Street. (Google Street View)

Victoria councillors recommend street name change to reflect Lekwungen peoples

Committee vote unanimous in support of Su’it Street over Trutch Street, council vote happens March 3

Trutch Street is named after B.C.’s first lieutenant governor, whose policies displaced Indigenous people across the province. It will soon be renamed Su’it Street. (Google Street View)
Teachers from School District 27 learn about a sweat ceremony during a cross-cultural workshop at Esk’etemc. (Photo submitted)

B.C. First Nation connects reconciliation and healing through education

Chief Fred Robbins says education is key to changing attitudes toward First Nations people

Teachers from School District 27 learn about a sweat ceremony during a cross-cultural workshop at Esk’etemc. (Photo submitted)
Victoria city staff are recommending that Trutch Street be renamed Su’it Street, an anglicized version of the Lekwungen translation for truth. (Google Maps)

City staff recommend Victoria rename Trutch Street to Lekwungen translation for ‘truth’

Majority of people surveyed support name change, some concerned over using English word

Victoria city staff are recommending that Trutch Street be renamed Su’it Street, an anglicized version of the Lekwungen translation for truth. (Google Maps)
A winter sunset in Tofino and the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. (Westerly File photo)

Online Valentine’s gathering explores Indigenous conceptions of love

The three-day series takes place this February 12, 13 and 14

A winter sunset in Tofino and the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. (Westerly File photo)
Vancouver Island First Nations and supporters gather near Victoria’s Inner Harbour and at the legislature in the summer of 2021 to honour 215 children who never came home from a Kamloops residential school. Events marking the discovery replaced Canada Day events last year, but traditional city organized events, with heavy First Nations involvement, may return for 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria seeking local First Nations’ involvement in July 1 events; fireworks returning

Canada Day plans still preliminary, more discussions needed before event schedule set

Vancouver Island First Nations and supporters gather near Victoria’s Inner Harbour and at the legislature in the summer of 2021 to honour 215 children who never came home from a Kamloops residential school. Events marking the discovery replaced Canada Day events last year, but traditional city organized events, with heavy First Nations involvement, may return for 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
Oak Bay is set to talk reconcilliation Monday, Jan. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Councillor pitches reconciliation task force for Oak Bay

Notice of motion, on Monday’s agenda, also requests changes to history page on district website

Oak Bay is set to talk reconcilliation Monday, Jan. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. First Nations Justice Council chairperson Doug White III, left, seen here with B.C. Attorney General David Eby in March, was recognized for his work in B.C.’s legal system with a Queen’s counsel designation. (News Bulletin file)

Ottawa commits $8.9M to support B.C. Indigenous justice strategy

The funding will go toward the creation of 15 Indigenous justice centres in B.C.

B.C. First Nations Justice Council chairperson Doug White III, left, seen here with B.C. Attorney General David Eby in March, was recognized for his work in B.C.’s legal system with a Queen’s counsel designation. (News Bulletin file)
Oak Bay is now a full member of the Te’Mexw Treaty advisory committee, made up of elected officials, staff and observers from local governments in Greater Victoria that may be impacted by the Te’mexw treaty negotiations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay lends voice to Te’Mexw treaty process

Advisory committee represents local governments impacted by treaty negotiation

Oak Bay is now a full member of the Te’Mexw Treaty advisory committee, made up of elected officials, staff and observers from local governments in Greater Victoria that may be impacted by the Te’mexw treaty negotiations. (Black Press Media file photo)
A child’s dress is seen on a cross outside a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., Sunday, June 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Finding unmarked graves put spotlight on reconciliation in 2021

‘It’s important to remind Canadians (not to) let reconciliation become a performance’

A child’s dress is seen on a cross outside a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., Sunday, June 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Cowichan Tribes’ member Madeline Joe is frustrated that almost nothing has been done to implement the recommendations of the Q’ushin’tul (Walking Together) Project report, which she co-authored. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Lack of action frustrates Cowichan author of report on removal of indigenous children

Q’ushin’tul (Walking Together) Project report written in 2019

Cowichan Tribes’ member Madeline Joe is frustrated that almost nothing has been done to implement the recommendations of the Q’ushin’tul (Walking Together) Project report, which she co-authored. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

Including Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork seen as a meaningful act towards reconciliation

Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Cowichan Piggies senior men’s head coach Andrew Wright, club president Angie Gudmundseth and VP Admin Mike Rea address club members during a blessing ceremony at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club grounds last Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Vancouver Island rugby club takes steps toward reconciliation

Blessing ceremony at Cowichan’s Herd Road grounds includes Tzinquaw Dancers

Cowichan Piggies senior men’s head coach Andrew Wright, club president Angie Gudmundseth and VP Admin Mike Rea address club members during a blessing ceremony at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club grounds last Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
A municipal plaque in Oak Bay’s Walbran Park could be under review for its wording and how accurately it reflects the history of the site. The federal historic site information at the top of the hill is already under review. (Photo by Bruce Kilpatrick)

Oak Bay may revisit history and how it’s presented in parks

Council discussion cut short, set to arise again at Nov. 29 meeting

A municipal plaque in Oak Bay’s Walbran Park could be under review for its wording and how accurately it reflects the history of the site. The federal historic site information at the top of the hill is already under review. (Photo by Bruce Kilpatrick)
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Governor General centres ‘lifelong journey’ of reconciliation in throne speech

‘I encourage you to seek out the truth, and to learn about the lived realities’

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A photo of the RCMP deployed at Morice Forest Service Road last week . (Gidimt’en Checkpoint Facebook photo)

Arrested journalists released with conditions as northwest B.C. pipeline dispute plays out in court

CGL is seeking to get those arrested to not return to the pipeline construction site in Houston

A photo of the RCMP deployed at Morice Forest Service Road last week . (Gidimt’en Checkpoint Facebook photo)
Indigenous artist Carey Newman The original Witness Blanket art piece is undergoing conservation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. A replica is on tour and will show at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre from Nov. 16 to Dec. 12. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Cohen, CMHR)

Witness Blanket exhibit touches down in Saanich this month

Replica of Indigenous artist Carey Newman’s impactful piece opens at Cedar Hill gallery Nov. 16

Indigenous artist Carey Newman The original Witness Blanket art piece is undergoing conservation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. A replica is on tour and will show at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre from Nov. 16 to Dec. 12. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Cohen, CMHR)
The Royal B.C. Museum’s third floor will fully close on Jan. 2 as it works to decolonize some of its original galleries. (File photo courtesy Royal B.C. Museum)

Royal B.C. Museum phasing out galleries that push colonial narrative

Third floor to be fully closed by Jan. 2

The Royal B.C. Museum’s third floor will fully close on Jan. 2 as it works to decolonize some of its original galleries. (File photo courtesy Royal B.C. Museum)