On July 21, 2025, Indigenous Engagement Working Group (IEWG) hosted almost 30 residents who showed up to watch the 2nd of a series of Indigenous films directed and produced by Gumboot Productions. for those who missed either film, or had challenges hearing the films, go to the website to watch them again.
After the film, the attendees circled and shared their thoughts and ideas, and they had the first serious discussion as a group on the residents’ Indigenous reconciliation journey. Some of the topics discussed:
- Listen and learn, alternative ways of knowing;
- The TRC (Truth and Reconciliation 2015);
- Seeking opportunities to meet and have conversations with members of the Penelakut community;
- Understanding dispossession and lack of access to a place they’ve lived on for millennia, and the personal reflection on our migratory settlers now living in the Coast Salish territory, struggling to understand the dichotomy of how the FN must feel not living here and whose home it was for millennia;
- We should put our money where our mouth is by recreating a reciprocity trust, an Indigenous trust run by an NGO;
- Educate ourselves before we start inviting the Penelakut people. One simple means would be to add more books to the library, including Raymond Charles's book, which should be in the library. Our responsibility as allies is to share our learnings from these 2 films.
The other easy yet impactful opportunity that James mentioned and is the organizer of is to attend the March for the Children on August 4th, 2025, in Chemainus. It starts at 0830h at the Salish Sea Market.
We need to be patient, humble in character, and grateful for living where we do. We look forward to seeing you at the March on Aug 4th.
Doug Fenton 250.804.6480
Article originally appeared on Thetis Blog (https://www.thetisposts.ca/).
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