The Parliament Buildings and other buildings on the legislative grounds are located on the traditional and ancestral territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, namely the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, whose relationships with the land exist since time immemorial. The Legislative Assembly acknowledges the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples' continuing relationship with these lands.
We appreciate and demonstrate respect to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations for their generous friendship, knowledge, culture and traditions which they share so generously with our community.
Dr. Elmer Seniemten George, an Elder from the Songhees Nation, supported by Andrew Cienski, a Language Revitalization Specialist, and Angelica Thomas, a Language Assistant at the Esquimalt Nation, worked with the Legislative Assembly to create signs that are displayed at the front of the grounds. The project seeks to promote Indigenous language revitalization by reconnecting the Parliament Buildings and legislative grounds to the territory on which they are located. The signage also serves as a reminder to all guests, visitors, and staff of the important relationships that come from these lands.
The signage was installed on November 29, 2023, at an unveiling event celebrated with representatives of the Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation and community members.
The phrases read as follows:
Plaque 1
Č̓íʔit ɫtə cə stáməš ɫtə kʷə yéʔ ʔax̣ʷ ʔə cə sx̣íləx̣.
We thank our warriors that go to war.
Č̓ey̓áɫ ɫtə ʔə cə ʔawəs neč̓éŋ
We hold gratitude and respect for those who do not come back.
Plaque 2
ʔəŋást cə skʷeʔs həlís ʔəƛ̓ ɫníŋəɫ.
They give their lives for us.
Hay šxʷ q̓a hélə cə ʔiʔɫčélŋəxʷ.
Thank you, ancestors.
Hay šxʷ q̓a kʷ ən̓s nəc̓əmáat helə ʔiʔ cə Lək̓ʷáŋən xʷílŋəxʷ.
It's good that you (settlers) are one together with the Lekwungen people.
Plaque 3
Nəc̓əmáat kʷən̓s čéʔi txʷək̓ʷám̓k̓ʷəm̓ səʔ cə ŋə́nŋənə ɫtə.
Working together as one, our children will become strong.
Mək̓ʷ ɫtə sƛ̓iʔ cə sƛ̓əlíƛ̓qəɫ.
We all love the children (every child matters).
These phrases express gratitude to those who have made sacrifices in the past, welcome those here in the present, and express collective hope for our shared future. The wording also reminds us of our responsibilities to these territories and to each other.
The Legislative Assembly is grateful to have worked with Dr. Elmer George from the Songhees Nation, Mary Anne Thomas from the Esquimalt Nation, Andrew Cienski, Angelica Thomas, and the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations without whom the signage project would not have been possible.
