ṮEṮÁĆES Climate Action Project
Indigenous Perspectives on Eco-Cultural Revitalization
Registration is now open for

Indigenous perspectives on eco-cultural revitalization


FEBRUARY 10th to 14th, 2020


This course explores the rich eco-cultural history of Coast Salish presence on S,DA’YES — Pender Island, and examines the complex and fragile ecosystem on and around ILEĆEN — Bedwell Harbour basin between North and South Pender Islands.


Indigenous perspectives on eco-cultural revitalization will take you on a journey into W̱SÁNEĆ culture and tradition and give you an appreciation of the depth and wisdom of ĆELÁṈEN —the W̱SÁNEĆ world view. Equipped with this Traditional Knowledge you will examine how this worldview can be woven with current climate science to address the accelerating global climate crisis. You will come away with a personal climate action plan that you can carry out after the course.

Day 1
  • An immersion into W̱SÁNEĆ history and the impacts of colonialism on W̱SÁNEĆ culture and the resurgence of that culture with the revival of the SENĆOŦEN and sacred cultural traditions.
Day 2
  • On the land with hands on ecological restoration work, a traditional salmon pit cook, ethnobotany exploration at SQE¸NÁNW̱ —Gowlland Point chocolate lily fields.
Day 3
  • The role of the SX̱OLE —reef net in the economic, cultural and social structures of the W̱SÁNEĆ way of life, the foundations of W̱SÁNEĆ Natural Law, the Douglas Treaty and the Rights of Nature.
Day 4
  • Field trip to E,HO — Medicine Beach, the impact of the residential schools, the wisdom of the 13 moon calendar, the role of ancestral relations and the resurgence of ĆELAṈEN in response to the challenge of climate change.
Day 5
  • Weaving the "braid" of W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Knowledge with western climate science to develop specific climate action plans. 


Course Registration
Course fee of $1,995 includes:
•  course registration fee
•  course tuition
•  course materials
•  5 nights accommodation at Poet's Cove Resort 
•  5 days of meals


The $95 registration fee is payable at the time of registration, and the balance of the course fee ($1,900) is payable on January 27, 2020 .


Please register by January 24, 2020.


Bursaries: The SGI Community Resource Centre is seeking supplementary funding to provide bursaries to reduce the tuition where financial support is required. For more information on bursaries, email  [email protected] with “bursary” in the subject line.

Accommodation Details

Much of the course takes place on the reserve land and surrounding basin with a focus on place-based learning. Quality accommodation and meals are provided by Poet's Cove Resort & Spa at a reduced rate, as an in kind contribution to the project with access to the heated pool, hot tub, steam room and all the seasonal amenities of this four-star resort.

9801 Spalding Road, Pender Island BC

Transportation from the Otter Bay Ferry to the resort is available on request. 

The ṮEṮÁĆES Climate Action Project provides a place-based climate action education program that braids W̱SÁNEĆ/Coast Salish traditional knowledge with current climate science to meet the challenges of climate change in the Southern Gulf Islands and beyond. 

Three 5-day courses are offered at Poet's Cove Resort on South Pender Island in February and March 2020, each with its own geographic focus.