October 17th, KL welcomed guest speaker Gene Harry (XiQuelum) from Malahat Nation, who shared heartfelt wisdom on kinship relationships and snuw’uy’ulh teachings that support families across our member Nations. XiQuelum spoke freely, offering teachings from the heart, highlighting the importance of working with others and, most importantly, with oneself.

This basketball court is a space for all members, especially the next generation of children and youth, to come together, honour their community, and build new relationships through the sport of basketball. We raise our hands to everyone who made this project possible, and we look forward to the growth, unity, and connections this court will bring.

The Coast Salish people have maintained a deep connection with the bounty of the land including its ample forest resources.  Since time immemorial, the Coast Salish people have inhabited the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest and harvested a variety of berries for sustenance, bringing family and community together, to provide nourishment, and use as medicine.

By following these tips and incorporating traditional practices, you can create a sleep routine that honors your body's natural rhythms and promotes a deeper, more restorative rest!

Saturday, June 15th, KL’s 4th Annual Ku’ki’youk Fishing Derby brought together families from our member Nations for a day of celebration, tradition, and friendly competition. With over 15 vessels setting out on the beautiful Stz’uminus waters, the event was a resounding success, highlighting the significance of Indigenous History Month.

A new wellness center for Indigenous youth struggling with drug addiction is set to open on Vancouver Island. This center, called Orca Lelum, will offer wellness and detox services that are culturally relevant to Indigenous traditions.

Stinging nettles are full of vitamins and minerals, and were a key fresh food source for Coast Salish people. They have long been used as medicine too – the leaves can be used to treat acne, eczema, diarrhea, intestinal worms and urinary tract infections. Learn more here!

Staying safe online is important for kids and teens as they spend more and more time with technology and the internet. Nowadays, everything from chatting with friends to doing homework happens online. But while the internet is awesome for learning new stuff, being creative, and hanging out with friends, it can also be risky.

We asked our Early Years Team for some ideas about crafts and activities to do with your kids that help with their developmental skills (and don’t break the bank). These activities are geared towards 1-4 year olds and the supplies needed are easily picked up at the dollar store, or things you may already have at home. Sometimes the idea of developmental play can sound overwhelming for families, these are examples of simple activities that cover much more learning than you might realize!

Being home alone as a child is a very big responsibility for children and it is important to consider a number of factors. Keep in mind that each child's maturity level and parents' comfort level may vary. What works for one family may not necessarily work for another. It's essential to assess your child's readiness and your own comfort level before leaving them home alone.

Creating a pollinator watering station is a great activity to engage your child, and help them to learn about interconnectedness in our ecosystem, food production, and the importance of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Try out this low-cost creative crafting project!

For millennia, our livelihoods and cultural practices have been intricately intertwined with the natural resources that abound in our coastal waters. Among these resources, the ‘ey’x has been revered as a symbol of abundance, sustenance, and spiritual significance. While not as intertwined into our physical and spiritual lives as the salmon, we have harvested, traded and shared this resource since time immemorial.

On April 11th, KL hosted a Men’s Gathering at the Coast Bastion, to celebrate their spirits, strength, and resilience. It served as a safe space where participants could openly express vulnerability, exchange knowledge, and share experiences on a range of topics, including relationships, mental health, and parenting.

This year, there has been a notable surge in the demand for boxing across our Nations. From Malahat to Halalt and Snaw-Naw-As, children and youth have eagerly embraced the opportunity to grow their skills and grasp the fundamentals of this dynamic sport.

At every stage of their life and development, parents and caregivers are here to help our kids to recognize, work through and regulate their big feelings. One of the trickiest is anger, particularly if your kiddo loses control and starts hurting themselves or others, or destroying things around them.

The next time you see a dandelion, remember that it's not just a weed—it's a valuable plant that has been used for centuries by the Coast Salish. From delicious salads to soothing teas, dandelions have a lot to offer. Maybe you'll even want to try using dandelions in your own cooking or for making tea! Just remember to give thanks for the gifts it provides.

Grief is a natural response to loss, and it affects individuals in various ways. Whether mourning the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or any significant life change, navigating through grief can be a challenging journey. However, there are strategies and techniques that can help individuals cope with grief and find healing in the process.

Are you looking for some books to read with your kids that highlight Indigenous authors and perspectives? Look no further than this handy list, available for free at your local library!

Respecting the Harvest was created to provide youth from our 9 Nations with traditional teachings on hunting and food sovereignty and their importance to Indigenous identity. The program also teaches practical firearm safety, learning to handle a fire arm and developing shooting skills.