Tsawwassen First Nation (in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada)
While traveling and living in the Vancouver, British Columbia, region of Canada, I’ve enjoyed supporting the Tsawwassen First Nation whenever possible.
My partner’s great-grandpa, who was Indigenous, was born in this region. My partner’s grandpa attended school here. I think it’s vital to support Indigenous Peoples everywhere we go.
Here is a little bit of the beautiful Tsawwassen Identity and Nationhood…
“We are Səwaθn Məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen People – ‘People facing the sea’), descendants of our kwθə syəeneɫct (ancestors) who exercised sovereign authority over təməxʷct (our land) for thousands of years. Tsawwassen People were governed under the səniw (advice) and guidance of siˀem (leaders), sciˀeɫ (highborn women) hiwaqʷ (headmen), and sqʷiqʷel (speakers) through countless generations.
“We honour the ni sqwel kwθe syəenelct (words of our ancestors) who preserved our history, our həəíemqən (language) and protected our inheritance. We lift our hands to our ancestors and Elders who imparted syawən (teachings), sʷəʷəyem (stories), stiləm (songs) and ʷəyeləx (dances) that allowed us to maintain our unique identity and way of life. We honour our children and future generations who will ensure these teachings carry on.
“We honour the Creator from whom all life flows as the source of our spirituality. We will uphold our fundamental belief system to maintain harmony with all of creation. The deep pride we hold with regard to our xeˀxeˀ syays (sacred traditions) enhances our sense of belonging in this world. We will continue to protect our spiritual healing and purification sites and the sacred resting places of our ancestors.
“Today, the Tsawwassen Government will enact a suite of contemporary laws that are fundamentally based on traditional laws and principles that have been carried through each generation. By enacting Tsawwassen Laws, we reaffirm these traditional principles and transmit them to subsequent generations in a manner that has relevance in modern society.
“Today, Tsawwassen Laws will be passed in our sacred longhouse – the place where we governed ourselves in the past. We will carry on the tradition of putting the nail on the wall by the door – to hang up any hard or negative feelings before coming into this place to work together for our people – past, present and future generations…”
I so love how the Tsawwassen First Nation respects its elders…
“Our Elders are the strength and wisdom of our Nation. They are a source of inspiration and guidance for many in our community. They also are the memory of our community. They preserve and pass on our language, our culture and our traditional heritage. They guide us on important matters of our new Government. Many of our elders have said they never thought they’d live to see a treaty reached with Tsawwassen, BC and Canada and are grateful we have dealt with this unfinished business.”
So when the weather is too extreme, we take a protected walk among Indigenous art by strolling around the gorgeous Tsawwassen First Nation mall (plus indulge in a plant-based meal).
I love to gas up my partner’s auto (our “tiny camper”) at the Tsawwassen First Nation gas station.
We learn about the Tsawwassen First Nation’s history, songs, and language.
And I recently explored the stunningly beautiful Great Blue Heron Way, which deserves several hours to enjoy in full (we will be back with bicycles).
