Tag: decolonization

Lekwungen Walk

Sunday, July 3 2022 – Mr. Mark Albany, an elder of the Songhees Nation, has graciously offered to lead Congregation Emanu-El on a walking tour of his ancestors’ land, to understand downtown Victoria from a Lekwungen point of view.

The tour provides a unique opportunity to learn something about the Lekwungen way of life pre colonization and the history of displacement of Indigenous peoples, which was the precursor of settler occupation and the creation of the City of Victoria.
Having done the tour with Mark, Ruthi had this to say:

“Extremely powerful – I guarantee it will change your perception of the ‘Truth of Colonization’, and marks a significant step in the process of “Wrestling” with that Truth, something which all of us white settlers need to undertake, if there is to be genuine reconciliation IMO”.

It does take about 2.5 hours and covers almost 2km, so comfortable shoes and weather appropriate dress are recommended. It is not a tour suitable for children 10yrs and under.
The tour is limited to 15, so get yourselves signed up asap. email the office Info@congregationemanuel.ca with “Lekwungen Walk” in the subject line.

When: Sunday 3rd July 10:00am to 12:30pm
Where: Tour begins at the corner of Douglas and Belleville near Mungo Martin House and the totems, ends at the totems on Songhees Road.
Cost: $15 paid in cash. The fee will be collected prior to the beginning of the walk so please remember to bring cash with you.

Summary of event details

Victoria Reconciliation Dialogues

The Victoria Reconciliation Dialogues series returns in person with three new conversations in 2022 that enable the community to participate in reconciliation on Lekwungen territory.

Guided by members of the City Family and special guests, the conversations seek to build the community’s knowledge and understanding of reconciliation — what it is, why it is needed and why community participation in reconciliation is important.

You’re invited to pre-register through Eventbrite to participate in some or all of the Dialogues. The format will vary and may include storytelling, discussion and other forms of learning, with each conversation being approximately 2.5 hours in length. Each Dialogue will include an Indigenous welcome by Florence Dick of the Songhees Nation, and a witness ceremony at the end.

See  victoria.ca/ReconciliationDialogues for more information, and to watch past Dialogues.

Dialogue #5 – Guests of Lekwungen: Urban Indigenous Experiences in Canada

Monday, May 30 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Victoria Conference Centre, Carson Hall, 2nd Floor
Urban Indigenous people living in Lekwungen territory are not people of the Lekwungen lands. Yet as Indigenous people in Canada, they are often displaced from their own homelands through the process of colonization, including the sixties scoop and other colonial practices. This Dialogue will share stories that highlight the experiences of Urban Indigenous people living in Lekwungen territory and the diversity of Indigenous experience. There will also be live musical performances.

Dialogue #6 – Rethinking Heritage in the Context of Reconciliation

Monday, July 11 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Victoria Conference Centre, Carson Hall, 2nd Floor 
Victoria has an award-winning heritage conservation program that has retained many of the early settler buildings in the city. At the same time as these buildings were built, Lekwungen heritage was systematically dismantled and erased. This Dialogue will feature members of the Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation and City staff who have worked together on the Government Street Refresh project and will explore how to retain and celebrate the city’s colonial-built heritage at the same time as recognizing, honouring and making visible once again Lekwungen culture and land practices. 

Dialogue #7 – Na’tsa’maht: Going Forward Together

Monday, September 12 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Victoria Conference Centre, Carson Hall, 2nd Floor 
Working with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, in 2017 City Council established the City Family to take a Lekwungen-led approach to reconciliation. In this Dialogue, the City Family will present a Reconciliation Plan to the City and the community to carry on the work of reconciliation for decades to come. Participants will be asked to make a reconciliation commitment of their own. The session will feature Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation youth. 

Summary of event details