As the winds begin to change and summer gives way to fall, there’s a teaching that’s been sitting quietly on my heart for a long time. Out of respect for the sacredness of Coast Salish culture, I’ll keep the details intentionally vague—but I still feel it’s something that needs to be shared, especially for those offering care and services to First Nations people. Before writing this, I reached out to Culturally Committed Mentor, George Harris Jr. of Stz’uminus First Nation , to ask how I...

When I was growing up on a farm in southeast Manitoba, there was a common saying I often heard: “If you want control of what happens on the land next door, you’d better own it.” That phrase has been echoing in my mind lately, especially after the recent court victory involving the Cowichan Tribes — represented by Stz’uminus, Penelakut, Lyackson, and Cowichan. On August 7, 2025, the British Columbia Supreme Court released its decision in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (Attorney General) , a ruling...

This week’s Teachings Tuesday comes to us from one of our cherished community members, Liz. Her words carry us to the Cowichan Estuary on...