Editor:
Greetings to the shíshálh Nation from ts’ukw’um (Wilson Creek). It is a privilege living together on your traditional lands. One day soon I hope to be able to pronounce the names in the shíshálh language. Since I can’t even roll my R’s, not sure how I’ll do with the apostrophe sounds! However, I look forward to trying, and hope my attempts at least bring out some smiles.
I also wish to thank the shíshálh Nation for their generous spirit in recent years opening your culture and providing opportunities for us to learn more, and walk a path of reconciliation. I am grateful for the work of the Sunshine Coast syiyaya Reconciliation Movement.
Currently, I know the shíshálh Nation needs to maintain protocols to protect their vulnerable population from harm, but when it is again safe to do so, I look forward to resuming ceremonies of reconciliation together.
In the meantime I hope everyone will be kind, be safe, and be connected.
Jill Halliwell, ts’ukw’um (Wilson Creek)
