Sway-a-Lana Lagoon

Sway-a-Lana Lagoon is a swimming pool within Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo. I often see families on the beach here and occasionally swimmers in the Lagoon. It is a lovely spot surrounded by well-tended gardens and bordered by a pedestrian bridge. From there you can see Protection Island and Saysutshun.

“Sway-a-Lana” refers to a historical figure, the eldest son of the first man in Nanaimo. The name is derived from the Snuneymuxw First Nation and is associated with the area’s natural and cultural significance. The Snuneymuxw First Nation consider the area around Maffeo Sutton Park a sacred site and a place of ongoing connection to the land. 

#FirstNation #flowers #gardens #MaffeoSuttonPark #Nanaimo #nature #Photography #Snuneymuxw

The Vancouver Island University campus where I work is located on former Department of National Defense lands, indeed up until just a few years ago a few classes were still being held in “huts” built in the 1940s! Those are all gone now, but there is still DND land (Army Reserve - Canadian Scottish Regiment - Princess Mary’s) just to the south of the campus, across 5th Street. I can see it from my office.

It is famously a location of a “Diefenbunker”.

It is infamously also the location of the former Nanaimo Indian Hospital.

Snuneymuxw now has most of this land as part of its reserve. Ceremonies were held last week. It's a good thing.

"“My auntie went to this hospital, and they starved her,” said Snuneymuxw member Mikiala Morgan.

Others in the community spoke of healing and reclamation. One Snuneymuxw member described the land’s return as “a full circle moment,” signifying not only a legal victory but a cultural and spiritual restoration. "

The intention is likely to create housing, and there may even be a partnership with VIU for student housing on the lands. We'll see what the Snuneymuxw First Nation decides. It is their land and their future.

https://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2025-04-22/snuneymuxw-hosts-land-blessing-former-nanaimo-indian-hospital-site
#Indigenous #IRS #IndianHospital #Nanaimo #Snuneymuxw #VIU

Photos Beau sent me today. He has cleaned up the outdoor canoe carving workspace. Getting things ready to teach children when the May healing canoe program starts in Kuleet Bay.

https://www.beauwagner.ca/

#CoastSalish #Indigenous #TraditionalCanoe #DugoutCanoe #CanoeCarver #Woodworking #Snuneymuxw #Stzuminus #FirstNations #Canoes

#Snuneymuxw #FirstNation members favour a $42-million offer from federal government to settle the Crown's breach-of-contract failing to protect land along #Nanaimo River.

Snuneymuxw nation has aimed at a settlement for more than 20 yrs. Their 'Teytexen Village Specific Claim' in 2001 - breach of Sarlequnn Treaty between Snuneymuxw & the Crown in 1854.

https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/local-news/nearly-100-per-cent-of-snuneymuxw-first-nation-favour-42m-land-claim-7858147

#CDNpoli #BCpoli #Landback #Indigenous #NativeLand #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #DecolonialJustice

Kanaka Bay on Saysutshun. The bay is named for a Hawaiian man, Peter Kakua, who is buried there. But his story and the story of those he killed and what it all means is incredible. It took 150 years for someone to give it a proper airing and that someone was Noelani Goodyear-Ka’ōpua and you need to read her piece.

#kanaka #snuneymuxw #Penelekut #BC #FirstNations #colonization

https://salishseasentinel.ca/2018/02/haunted-on-saysutshun/

The #FirstNation says the objects have come from former #Snuneymuxw communities that are now in downtown #Nanaimo, #DepartureBay, #GabriolaIsland, #Cedar, #DukePoint & #NanaimoRiver.

The Nation’s chief says there's big plans for all the art & #artifacts once the Nation #repatriates all of their #cultural pieces from #RoyalBCMuseum & other #museums from around the world that have Snuneymuxw artifacts.

https://www.cheknews.ca/snuneymuxw-first-nation-repatriates-nearly-100-items-from-the-royal-bc-museum-1205956/?amp

#Indigenous #Colonialism #VancouverIsland #PNW #repatriation #BCpoli

It’s believed to be the first of its kind display on #VancouverIsland and is combining mental and physical #wellbeing with #EnvironmentalProtection.

Representatives from #RotaryClub of #Nanaimo, #Snuneymuxw #FirstNation and #GreenCommunities #Canada recently installed a mini #forest at a newly-opened #TransitionalHousing complex on the First Nation territory.

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2024/05/19/new-nanaimo-mini-forest-believed-to-be-first-of-its-kind-on-vancouver-island/

#GoodNews #VanIsle #Indigenous #HealingCommunity #PacificNorthwest #PNW