Due to ferry cancellations, the restoration event planned for QENENIW̱ in collaboration with PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ during EcoFair had to be postponed. It has been rescheduled for November 18, 2022 from 11AM to 3PM at QENENIW̱ (Hay Point, South Pender Island). All are welcome to attend and help the land heal!
Photo by Alex Harris.
On October 22, 2022, PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation will be leading a restoration event at QENENIW̱ on S,DÁYES.
While the Trees to Seas EcoFair is intended as an opportunity to bring members of the conservation community together and grow that community, it is also meant to provide actionable (and fun!) ways to participate in conservation initiatives in the region. One such initiative is a restoration event, hosted by PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation at QENENIW̱ (Hay Point, South Pender Island), which will focus on invasive species removal.
About PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation
PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ or “The Blossoming Place” is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides participatory education opportunities about traditional and healthy food systems to contribute to the restoration and revitalization of native ecosystems in W̱SÁNEĆ homelands. They aim to promote food security and indigenous food sovereignty in the W̱SÁNEĆ community and beyond. They also run a native plant nursery and garden.
PEPAKIYE of PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ leading students during an educational event at QENENIW̱ in 2021. Photo by Alex Harris.
What to expect
PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ works with partners across W̱SÁNEĆ homelands to carry out education, resiliency, and land healing initiatives, including projects at SṈIDȻEȽ (Tod Inlet), ȾIKEL (a wetland restoration project at the Tribal School ), HELEṈIḴEN (Horticulture Centre of the Pacific), ȾIX̱EṈ (Cordova Spit), and QENENIW̱ (Pender Island). These projects include (but are not limited to) building educational trails with informational signage, removing invasive species, and planting native species.
The project at QENENIW̱ is one of PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱’s newest projects and is undertaken under the guidance and care of W̱SÁNEĆ cultural monitors to ensure restoration work is done in a respectful way in this sensitive archaeological area. Those attending the restoration event on October 22, 2022 can expect to focus on the removal of the highly invasive Daphne laurel. This plant is toxic, so volunteers will be required to wear gloves while working and will be encouraged to wear safety glasses.
Jaya Scott looking cool and safe during a restoration event at QENENIW̱ in summer 2021. Photo by Alex Harris.
Logistical information
This is an all-weather event. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing, including comfortable (and waterproof!) closed-toe footwear, raingear, and plenty of water. We encourage those who can to bring their own work gloves, safety glasses, and tools (shovel and/or loppers). For those who do not own these items, a supply will be provided.
QENENIW̱ is Tsawout First Nations reserve land, known as Hay Point in English. It is located on South Pender Island, adjacent to Poet’s Cove Resort and Spa. Those attending the restoration event will be permitted to park in a back lot on Poet’s Cove property. A local volunteer, Paul Petrie, will be on site helping attendees navigate parking in case of any confusion and to direct folks to the restoration site. Though there are no washroom facilities at QENENIW̱, the washrooms at the Poet’s Cove pool will be available for attendee use.