蝉颈蕯膷蓹虂艐蓹涩 蕯茅蕯l蓹艐
Pronunciation
Pronounced ‘Si ̓chungulh"
Spoken by Songhees Elder Seniemten, Dr. Elmer George, member of the Songhees Nation and Lək̓ʷəŋən language keeper.
蝉颈蕯膷蓹虂艐蓹涩
We extend our deepest gratitude to Songhees Elder Seniemten, Dr. Elmer George, for granting us the privilege to use the Lək̓ʷəŋən name. siʔčə́ŋəɬ is a Lək̓ʷəŋən village near Cattle Point in the coastal area of Oak Bay, known today as Willows Beach. This area is part of the northern region of the čeqʷəŋin (Cheko’nien) territory. siʔčə́ŋəɫ refers to the driftwood that washes up on the beach, symbolizing the connection between the land, the water and the original stewards of these lands—the Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
Choosing siʔčə́ŋəɬ is a reflection of our commitment to reconciliation, fostering a deeper understanding of the rich history of these lands and increasing representation of Indigenous languages and culture.
Renaming Ceremony
At UVic, we are committed to making things right and ensuring that we move forward in a good way, guided by the teachings of the local nations. The renaming of ʔéʔləŋ (Si ̓chungulh House)—formerly known as Lansdowne 1, was marked by a heartfelt ceremony following local Coast Salish protocol. The renaming ceremony was a small, intimate event, bringing together the students, their families and members of the community who share pride in this meaningful step towards ʔetalnəw̓əl | ÁTOL,NEUEL—being in right relationships with all things and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
At this intimate gathering outside the building, former UVic students who played a pivotal role in this advocacy work, were blanketed as a symbol of recognition for their courage and commitment to decolonizing spaces on our campus. We are deeply grateful for the strength and leadership shown by these students and the support of the broader community in this important work. Songhees Elder, Seniemten, Dr. Elmer George, who made significant contributions to this work through his deep knowledge and dedication to the preservation of language, was also recognized and blanketed. We are deeply thankful for the opportunity to rename a space that embodies these values and acknowledges the rich history of the land and its people.
History
Lansdowne Residence 1 building was once named after Joseph Trutch, a historical figure known for his racist policies, including the reduction of Indigenous reserves and the disregard for Indigenous land rights. This painful history is in direct conflict with the values that the 番茄社区 strives to uphold. Recognizing this misalignment, UVic students took action by formally requesting that the name be removed. Their advocacy was rooted in a desire to create a campus environment that truly reflects our commitments, our actions and our pledge to ÁTOL,NEUEL—being in right relationships with all things and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In response to the students’ petition, the university temporarily renamed the building as Lansdowne 1, while beginning a thorough consultation process with local Indigenous nations and Elders. This period of consultation was crucial in ensuring the new name respects the significance of the names and places that have held meaning to the local nations for countless generations. The outcome of this consultation is the new name, siʔčə́ŋəɬ, which carries a deep cultural and historical significance.