Language
Language is the foundation of Indigenous laws, worldviews and ways of knowing and being. The protection and revitalization of Indigenous languages is a priority for local Indigenous communities and for UVic.
Throughout the Indigenous plan, we have used Lək̓ʷəŋən and SENĆOŦEN language and teachings. These words and teachings have been shared with the university community by Elders, Language and Knowledge Keepers from the local Nations, and we are charged with upholding them through the Coast Salish teaching of Nəw̓es šxʷ cən ʔay̓ šqʷeləqʷən | ÁMEḴT TŦEN ÍY, ŚḰÁLEȻEN | Bring in a good heart and a good mind.
Elders Seniemten, Dr. Elmer George (Songhees Nation, Lək̓ʷəŋən) and J,SIṈTEN, Dr. John Elliott (Tsartlip First Nation, SENĆOŦEN) have provided permission and guidance on the use of Lək̓ʷəŋən and SENĆOŦEN throughout the Indigenous Plan.
Language Reference
Ləkʷəŋən (Songhees & Esquimalt Peoples) | SENĆOŦEN (W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples) | English
Thank you
Hay sxʷ q̓a | HÍSW̱ḴE | Thank you
Office of the Vice-President Indigenous
Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL,ÁUTW̱ | Centre of respect for the rights of one another and all beings
Indigenous Plan 2023
Xʷkʷənəŋistəl | W̱ȻENEṈISTEL | Helping to move each other forward
Skʷes | TŦE SKÁLs I, TŦE Ś,X̱ENAṈs |The Laws and Philosophies
Héʔəkʷ ʔə cə čəléŋən ɫtə | HÁEQ ȽTE OL TŦE ĆELÁṈEN ȽTE| Remember our ancestors and birthright
Nəc̓əmaat kʷəns čeʔi | ĆȺNEUEL OL | Work together
Nəw̓es šxʷ cən ʔay̓ šqʷeləqʷən | ÁMEḴT TŦEN ÍY, ŚḰÁLEȻEN | Bring in your good heart and mind
Leʔt šxʷ helə ʔə cə məkʷ sčeʔi səʔ | S,HOL EṮ MEQ EN ENÁ SE SĆȺ | Be prepared for the work to come
Myrna Crossley’s Coast Salish woven blanket
SIÁM SȽEȽWÁȽ NOṈET SWEꞢE,Ƚ | Highly Respected One’s Peace of Mind at Last
UVic Strategic Plan
ʔetalnəw̓əl| ÁTOL,NEUEL | Respecng the rights of one another and being in right relationship with all things
Sʔeyəɫenxʷ | S,ÁEȽA’NW̱ | When things are in harmony
X̣əčiŋəɫn̓əw̓əl | XEĆIṈEȽNEUEL | Actively planning and problem solving
ʔay̓nəw̓əlʔist | ÍY,NEUELIST | Moving forward together for the good of all
L蓹k虛史蓹艐蓹n spoken by Seniemten, Dr. Elmer George (Songhees Nation)
Remember our ancestors and birthright
SEN膯O纽EN spoken by J,SIN瘫TEN, John Elliott (Tsartlip Nation)
Helping to move each other forward
Laws and Philosophies
Remember our ancestors and birthright
Work together
Bring your good heart and mind
Be prepared for the work to come