The District of Sechelt, in partnership with the shíshálh Nation and Heritage BC, has begun the process of updating the interpretive signs located here in ts'uḵw'um/Davis Bay. The three existing signs tell the stories of European explorers who sailed along the Coast in the 18th and 19th centuries. The new signs will include text in both English and she shashíshálhem, and they will publicly acknowledge the shíshálh people and their history in order to reflect both past and present indigenous land use in the area.
This project was developed through dialogue between staff of the District of Sechelt and staff of the shíshálh Nation with support from the syíyaya Reconciliation Movement. The goal is to decolonize the District of Sechelt’s interpretive signs and redress inequity in our story telling. The entire project will be in collaboration with, and with direction from, shíshálh Nation staff and elders. “This is an important project for the entire community because it shows respect for shíshálh Elders and inclusion of the rich shíshálh history as we walk together through Reconciliation.” ʔakista xaxanak (Garry Feschuk) Hereditary Chief shíshálh Nation.
Since 2018, the District of Sechelt and the shíshálh Nation have been working together towards Reconciliation via the syíyaya Reconciliation Movement. To date this work has included cultural events at the shíshálh Nation longhouse, community weaving projects, and the carving of a Reconciliation pole on the site of the former residential school.
This project is funded in part by Heritage BC through the Heritage Legacy Fund.