Shíshálh Nation Wellness Centre

Happy Self-Government Day, shishalh Nation

October 9 marks 40 years of shíshálh Nation self-government.

Forty years ago, our people took an important step in exercising our right to govern ourselves and determine our own future. But the story of our self-government did not begin on October 9, 1986. It is part of a much longer history of shíshálh people governing, protecting and caring for our swiya since time immemorial.

Today, we honour the people who carried that vision forward.

We want to recognize and offer our deepest gratitude to our Elders, our hereditary Chiefs, our past Chiefs and Councils, and all the shíshálh people who worked, advocated and sacrificed to achieve self-government for our Nation. Their courage and determination created opportunities for the generations that followed. We are here today because of the work they did before us.

Self-government gives us the responsibility to make decisions for our people, our lands and our future. It allows us to build our government in a way that reflects who we are as shíshálh and to carry our own laws, values and traditions forward.

As we celebrate 40 years, we should be proud of what our people have built. We should also remember that self-government is not something we achieve once and then set aside. It is a responsibility we carry forward together.

The next generation will inherit what we build today, just as we inherited the work of those who came before us. Our responsibility is to honour their sacrifices, protect what they worked so hard to achieve and continue building for the generations who will follow.

On our 40th anniversary, we give thanks to all those who helped bring our Nation to this point. To our Elders and past leaders, and to all the shíshálh people who stood behind this vision: we raise our hands to you.

On behalf of our current hihewhiwus, we wish all shíshálh members a happy Self-Government Day.

?ulnumsh chalap,
hiwus kwa’sa?lahuet
Chief Warren Paull

Pictured below: Sitting: hiwus (Chief) Stan Dixon and the Minister of Indian Affairs Bill McKnight. Standing back row left to right Gordan Anderson, Woman unknown, Graham Allen, hewhiwus Ben Pierre Sr, hewhiwus Lloyd Jeffries, hewhiwus Warren Paull, hewhiwus Clarence Joe Jr.

Today we had an inside day, we did lots of colouring sheets, played board games, and watched a movie on the other side. 🍁🍂🎥🎬

For dinner we had pierogi’s and bacon 🥟🥓

Happy Thursday, see you all next week !

⚠️ Important Safety Notice: Waterfront Swimming Rafts
We would like to advise community members of an important safety concern regarding the waterfront swimming rafts.
At this time, the rafts have been identified as unstable and may tip unexpectedly. In addition, the current ladder design is not secure and requires replacement with a safer model.
Our Public Works team has been notified and is actively assessing the situation. Repairs and improvements will be completed as soon as possible.
Until further notice:
The rafts should not be used without supervision, or
Preferably, they should not be used at all until repairs are complete.
The safety of our community members is our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding while this issue is being addressed.
Further updates will be shared as soon as they are available.

Please join us on Sunday May 3rd at 10:00 AM to honour our MMIWG2S+ Murdered and Missing Women & Girls.

We will gather at 10:00 AM at the corner of Cowrie St. & Ocean Ave. and march together to Hackett Park. All are welcome.
No alcohol will be permitted at the Event.

There will be speeches, food, vendors and special performances.
Gary Abbott HOOP DANCER
Butterflies in Spirit
shishalh Youth Drummers/Singers
and more.
We hope you will come join us to raise our voices.
No More Silence No More Violence