Truth and Reconciliation

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shqwalawun syeyutsus nacu mat tatul’at

Syeyutsus ‘i c’icuwatul ‘i ‘uyatul is a sacred way of walking together with one heart and one mind. The Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools and all our shhw’a’luqw’a’ seek a better life for our smune:m, our grandchildren, our future generations through tulnuxw how to walk together with uy’shqwalawun. tsélqum ‘u tu snuwuyulh ‘u tu syuwenstulh we work in an intentional way that strengthens our interconnection with the xe’xe’ tumuxw and each other.

When we listen to the Land as a teacher and a relative, we nacu mat tatul’at.

Working together with good heart, good spirit

Relatives including one another and the more than human world

Endearing term for all of our sacred children

Harmony with one another

To learn it, to know it, to find it out and to realize it

Following the sacred teachings of our ancestors

Good heart – good mind

Sacred

Land

Together learning as one

Coast Salish Principles

In our journey towards Truth & Reconciliation, a group of passionate NLPS staff came together and worked alongside local Knowledge Keepers to create 5 Coast Salish Principles.  These Principles connect and honour the syeytusus vision statement and are intended for everyone in our NLPS community.  They act as overarching values that we hope to weave into everything we do.  They are, Our Ways of Being Together.

slhilhukw’ is a way of saying connected

Key Points
  • Holistic, connected, interconnected
  • When we feel part of something we flourish

shhw’a’luqw’a’ is a way of saying relatives

Key Points
  • We are all family
  • We are related to one another as well as to the land, all aspects of nature, past/present/future.

ts’i’ts’uwatual is a way of saying to help and to support each other

Key Points
  • Looking for strengths in those around us and working hard to see what they need
  • Deeply rooted in respect, reciprocity and the interconnectedness of all life

xe’xe’ tumuhw is a way of saying sacred earth

Key Points
  • The land is central to everything, and is our first teacher
  • When the land speaks in this territory, the land speaks hul’q’umi’num
  • We take care of the land and the land takes care of us

‘uy’shqwaluwun is a way of saying good heart and good mind

Key Points
  • Showing up in a good way, with good intentions
  • We approach things with both our hearts and our minds

Syeyutsus Reconciliation Policy (adopted January 30, 2019)

To support the Board of Education’s goal of Reconciliation, a Reconciliation Advisory Committee (Syeyutsus Family) was formed with the purpose to develop a Reconciliation Policy and Framework for reconciliation across the district, using a process that is culturally relevant, sensitive and significant.

Defining the Syeyutsus Policy

The Syeyutsus Family shares their thoughts

Harvey Seymour – Stz’uminus First Nation (12/15/2018)
Jamie Smith – CUPE (12/10/2018)
Denise Wood – NDTA (12/10/2018)
Leana Pellegrin – DPAC (12/10/2018)
George Seymour – Stz’uminus First Nation (02/13/2023)
Jerry Brown – Snuneymuxw First Nation (02/13/2023)
Lawrence Mitchell – Snaw naw as First Nation (02/13/2023)
Mandy Jones – Snuneymuxw First Nation (02/13/2023)