About us

The Growth of a Grassroots Reconciliation Movement

The syiyaya Reconciliation Movement began with a simple but powerful idea: that reconciliation happens through relationships.

Since its launch in 2018, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have been walking together in the shíshálh swiya, creating opportunities for learning, healing, dialogue, and shared action.

Watch our story and discover how a grassroots movement continues to grow through community, culture, and hope.

Our Vision in Action

tsut-iwan 2022-2027

Guided by a Shared Vision

In 2022, the syiyaya Reconciliation Movement adopted a five-year strategic plan that reflected our shared commitment to reconciliation in the shíshálh swiya. Developed collaboratively by Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders, the plan identified the intentions, strategies, and outcomes that would guide our work between 2022 and 2027.

This roadmap helped shape many of the projects, partnerships, and community initiatives featured throughout this website, while strengthening our commitment to truth, healing, relationship-building, and respect.

As our movement continues to grow, we are now working together to create a new strategic plan that will guide the next chapter of our journey.

Our work has been guided by values that continue to shape the movement today:

Healing & Reconciliation

Relationship & Friendship

Story Sharing as Knowledge

Respect & Understanding

Heart Centred

Truth Telling

Collaboration & Partnership

Sustainability

One with Each Other and the Earth

Outcomes

shíshálh voices are respected and their experience of cultural genocide deeply understood

Institutions serving our swiya demonstrate cultural humility and anti-racism practices

Greater community supports healing of intergenerational trauma

syiyaya Reconciliation Movement is an enduring grassroots structure

Indigenous and non-indigenous people live together as friends and neighbours

OUR COMMITTEE:

Working Together in the Spirit of sk'ak'ts'itawilh

The sk'ak'ts'itawilh Committee, meaning "people working together," guides the syiyaya Reconciliation Movement with a shared commitment to truth, healing, and reconciliation.

Bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous members, the committee reflects the belief that reconciliation is built through relationships, collaboration, and mutual respect. Together, members help shape the movement's vision, guide its projects and initiatives, support community learning and healing, and strengthen the partnerships that sustain this work.

The committee makes decisions through a consensus-based process, ensuring that every voice is heard and that the movement continues to grow through shared understanding and collective leadership.

Ɂakista xaxanak Garry Feschuk
Co-chair
Cameron Reid
Co-chair
xets’emits’a Candace Campo
hiwus Calvin Craigan
Nancy Denham and John Denham
?enchelain Valerie Bourne

ti'talus Audrey Joe Santiago
Dale Sankey
xwash Steven Feschuk
shíshálh Nation Representative
tituya Keith Julius
xwa Philip Paul hihewus
Tatiana Velasquez

Partners

The syiyaya Reconciliation Movement is honoured to work in partnership with the shíshálh Nation and the District of Sechelt. Their ongoing leadership, commitment, and collaboration are at the heart of our work and continue to guide the relationships, gatherings, and initiatives we create together.

FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS

syiyaya’s work would not be possible without the generous support of many organizations, governments, businesses, foundations, community groups, and individuals.We are deeply grateful to the following funders and supporters, whose contributions help bring our programs, gatherings, and community initiatives to life.

Their commitment to walking alongside us strengthens our shared journey toward truth, healing, and reconciliation.

Together, we continue to build relationships and strengthen our community.