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Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Squamish students connect with ancestral lands through Two-Eyed Seeing
From sturgeon legends to scuba diving demonstrations, children at Porteau Cove experience a new way of learning that honours both heritage and habitat. Western science and cultural beliefs do not have to be interchangeable; in fact, they can be very complementary to a child's learning. Staff at St'a7mes School, who uphold project-based learning, garner knowledge for the future land stewardship of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) with a multi-faceted approach. Children of all ages are taught about their lands and culture, not only through traditional stories, activities, and language, but also with modern science by Western conservationists. Two-Eyed Seeing refers to learning with one eye from Indigenous knowledge and the other from Western knowledge, then combining both sets of knowledge for the benefit of all. In teaching and learning with Two-Eyed Seeing, all are encouraged to rebuild and connect to the land on which they live, whether they are Indigenous or otherwise. This can be observed as an act of reconciliation. Matthew Van Oostdam, head of the Aya7ayulh Chet (Cultural Journeys) program at St'a7mes School, works with Nation members to lead a series of Two-Eyed Seeing ocean learning days for elementary students, the latest of which, and not for the first time, took place at Xwawchayay (Porteau Cove) last week. 'It's not a matter of learning the Western science beliefs or the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh understanding of these places… we can learn about both these things,' Van Oostdam said. 'The focus is to create space for both ways of seeing and understanding. A huge part of it is rebuilding our relationship and connection to [Porteau Cove]. For the kids, that's so fundamental to caring about these places and realizing that their ancestors have lived, camped and paddled along these waters since longer than any of us can remember.' A welcome figure was erected two years prior at the south end of the park to commemorate the school's then two years of learning and partnership with the Nation and BC Parks, who help fund local non-profits, such as the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society (MLSS), which co-hosted the ocean learning days at Porteau Cove last week. According to MLSS project director Adam Taylor, the MLSS has worked with local governments to protect areas such as Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver for 30 years, and has discovered prehistoric glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound, which were thought to be extinct since 1987 . '[MLSS] focuses on marine conservation areas, but we recognize the need for local stewardship and education and outreach because we won't have long-term conservation areas without children learning about [their] importance,' he said. 'We want to inspire the next generation of stewards [and] researchers; without the children learning early, we won't have long-term sustainability.' The ocean learning days last week were divided into two parts: the morning began with an introductory talk by Van Oostdam about the story of the sturgeon, followed by Indigenous ceremonial music at the base of the welcome figure. Xwawchayay translates to 'place of little sturgeon.' Knowledge Keeper Kwewawatennat (Virginia Johnston) then presented the children with dynamic and interactive Indigenous storytelling about various sea creatures, at a viewpoint overlooking Howe Sound. In the afternoon, MLSS marine biologists gathered various hardy organisms with a team of divers from Howe Sound for the children to observe, after their lunch and a cultured beach walk, among them sea cucumbers, starfish, a small octopus, and crabs. The children also spoke with and observed the scuba divers on the shoreline, marvelling at the workings of their suits and diving equipment. Cory Hartling, St'a7mes School's principal, was the first teacher of the secondary school's Learning Expeditions program, which started simultaneously with Van Oostdam's Cultural Teachings program 10 years ago. 'We're having the kids really learn through experience,' Hartling said. 'These kids, a lot of them are Squamish kids, are here on their traditional territory learning traditional practices, and at St'a7mes School, that's what we're all about. We're deeply invested in learning here on the land… For me, this really represents a deep act of reconciliation.' St'a7mes School's Two-Eyed Seeing ocean learning days ran from May 27 to 29. You can contact staff to learn about future projects and similar programs via the school's website. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada. See Video: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. 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Hamilton Spectator
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Update: B.C. passes Bill 15 despite Indigenous opposition and narrow vote
On Wednesday night, Bill 15 passed third and final reading in the Legislature by a vote of 47-to-46. New Democrats voted for the legislation, with 41 Conservatives, the two B.C. Greens, including Sea to Sky MLA Jeremy Valeriote, and the three Independents opposing it. The tie was broken by Speaker Raj Chouhan. Next, the bill will go to Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia for royal assent. (The last time royal assent was withheld was in 1920, according to Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia: Fifth Edition .) The Squamish Chief has reached out to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) for comment on next steps. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is taking a strong stand against what it deems a 'significant threat' to the constitutional rights and title of Indigenous Peoples of the provincial government's Bill 15- Infrastructure Projects Act , which is due to pass on Wednesday. In a letter addressed to Bowinn Ma, B.C.'s Minister for Infrastructure, Khelsilem, Nation council chairperson, appealed to the provincial government to immediately withdraw the legislation and to subsequently discuss amendments co-operatively. The Bill 15-Infrastructure Projects Act was first introduced on April 10 last year. It was drafted by the Ministry of Infrastructure with the aim of centralizing planning for major capital projects, such as schools and health care facilities. The bill would give the cabinet powers to fast-track such projects, which it deems significant to the province. The Nation's May 13 letter of appeal lists 'grave concerns' over the marginalization of Indigenous knowledge, centralized powers without accountability or transparency, and an overall lack of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (or FPIC). The Nation's commitment to a 'shared vision' with the province is also elaborated upon, as well as the province's legal and moral obligations, and co-decision making. Significantly, the Nation states that the bill is holistically 'a step backward… [in] a self-governing Nation with deep responsibilities to our lands and waters,' and that it 'is a clear violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).' According to the Nation, it had not received a response to its letter as of May 28. The Nation is not alone in its sentiments and disillusionment with the bill. Many other Indigenous organizations and leaders have spoken out against it. For example, an open letter was also presented to the province this week by the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) on behalf of the First Nations Summit, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and the BC Assembly of First Nations, which said the province was 'walking backwards with a top-down, 'economy first' agenda,' which could have 'irreparable' impacts on many First Nations' relationships. The letter described how the FNLC had convened with the province on May 15 at an All Chiefs Meeting where they communicated their—yet to be acknowledged—opposing stance, and that the wording within the proposition of Bill 15 was misleading and unclear, for example the definition of 'core territories,' and who would determine the whereabouts of a project. Furthermore, the FNLC suggested that the bill's proposal purported to uphold Indigenous rights as an explicit provision, including consent as a prerequisite, and yet was not included in the ultimate legislative wording. 'The honour of the Crown is at stake when the Crown engages with First Nations,' the letter reads, '[it is] part of honourable dealing… more than just semantics. 'This is not a matter for the Crown to decide, and this proposed approach seriously risks prejudicing First Nations because of new or persisting boundary disputes caused by colonial policies and processes. It is a paternalistic and dismissive approach [to core territories] in this context.' For its part, the Ministry of Infrastructure told The Squamish Chief that whilst it is understandable Indigenous People want clarity, the province remains committed to its obligations under DRIPA. In a statement, the ministry said that on March 26 it issued letters offering future, deeper consultations on the bill to all 204 Nations impacted. 'We acknowledge that our engagement process was shorter than we would have liked,' the emailed statement reads, 'but we want to be clear, the bill can't be used to shortcut Indigenous participation … Our government remains committed to reconciliation.' According to the Ministry, the obligation to consult with the First Nations is guaranteed by a section written directly into the bill, as well as the Interpretation Act, which is a separate piece of legislation ensuring that all legislation must be interpreted in a way that aligns with DRIPA. 'We are committed to working collaboratively with partners, and to ensuring projects uphold BC's world-class environmental standards and consultation with First Nations,' the statement continues. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
