Nov 9 2023

Opening ceremony for the W̱SÁNEĆ wetland ethnobotanical garden in Miners Bay

The opening celebration for the ethnobotanical garden was held on Thursday November 9th 2023. ŚTEṈIST ȻENTOL EȻSIÁ TĆÁNȻE / Walking Forward With The Past is a collaborative effort between many partners, and we are so happy to share this new public space for everyone to enjoy, learn, and celebrate W̱SÁNEĆ knowledge and culture on SḴŦAḴ / Mayne Island! This event was co-hosted by the Mayne Island Conservancy, Mayne Island Library Society, Mayne Island Agricultural Society, and Campbell Bay Music Festival Society.

The HELI,SET Drum Group blessed the newly planted garden, and the permanent installation of artist Sarah Jim’s SḴŦAḴ Triptych was unveiled.

We then moved to the Ag Hall for lunch, cake, and community conversation about the uses of culturally important ŦIKEL / wetland plants of the W̱SÁNEĆ people.

Volunteers are at the heart of community; thanks to all the volunteers for this event! Shown L-R in photo 5 below: Eleanor Cocker, Deb Foote, Kai Nagata, Susheela Kundargi, Madeline Emery, Trisha Glatthaar, Micki Stirling, Adrienne Browne. Missing: Richard DeArmond, Meg Iredale-Gray, Adam Iredale-Gray, Peter Gray, Jennifer Iredale, Jack Ryder, David Rea.

The HELI,SET Drum Group blessing the new ethnobotanical garden from the boardwalk
The HELI,SET Drum Group
Three outdoor murals in wooden frames, depicting a salmon (blue), frog (green), and dragonfly (yellow) in a Salish art style. The artist kneels in front of them, wearing a brown woolen sweater and smiling
Artist Sarah Jim's triptych murals installed outdoors with wooden frames. Two people with yellow coats and gray/purple hair view them.
Kids looking at murals in a Salish style
A group of volunteers
A community hall with tables set ready to welcome guests
Two large cakes with the name of the project written on them in icing
Kai making a speech near soup
Artist Sarah Jim's parents