sməq̓ʷaʔ xeł, the Great Blue Heron Way, is the vision of scəẁaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen First Nation) Elder xʷasteniya (Ruth Adams). sməq̓ʷaʔ xeł reconnects, protects, celebrates and heals the people, land and the interwoven waters of the Salish Sea and Stó:lõ (Fraser River) through celebrations, Indigenous art and a network of new and existing pathways.
sməq̓ʷaʔ xeł brings together First Nations, organisations and governments to build greenways with good transit access for safe everyday walking, cycling and rolling reducing GHG emissions; facilitate meaningful reconciliation for First Nations and their neighbours along a healing pathway; improving access to nature near where people live; and highlight the opportunities for Indigenous-led cultural awareness through BC and across Canada.
Led by Elder xʷasteniya, we are engaging First Nations to build relationships, introduce the project and listen to their ideas and concerns to refine the vision and develop the route for sməq̓ʷaʔ xeł. We are also organising land based education walking and cycling tours with Elders and youth to reconnect with the land and develop the route plan.
Take Action
Your generous contribution will help make Elder xʷasteniya’s vision for sməq̓ʷaʔ xeł a reality!
Links to learn about The Great Blue Heron Way Project
and its progress:
2021 Truth and Reconciliation Day walk.
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Truth and Reconciliation Day is September 30, which is a great time to review this information and needs for action.
Truth and Reconciliation link: This is a government source to learn about Truth and Reconciliation.
