The government of B.C has allocated $260,000 in funding to build a traditional longhouse in Say Nuth Khaw Yum Park. The funding will assist the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, which oversees the park in collaboration with the government, in conducting site inspections, assessing potential locations for the longhouse, and engaging the community. The plans to construct a traditional longhouse in Say Nuth Khaw Yum Park, also known as Indian Arm Park, located in North Vancouver are goin well.
Jen Thomas, Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, stated that building a longhouse in Say Nuth Khaw Yum Park in north Vancouver has long been a goal for their community and is a key priority outlined in the park’s plan. The allocated funding will enable them to fulfil their vision of having a dedicated gathering place for feasting, intergenerational teaching of traditions and culture, and other communal activities.
Read also:Â Canada’s First Renewable Diesel Refinery is Complete
Cultural Preservation and Community Unity in North Vancouver
Longhouses, which are long, narrow, single-room buildings, hold significant cultural and social importance in many Indigenous communities. Murray Rankin, the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, emphasized on importance of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s longhouse. It will serve as a vital hub for community engagement, education, and healing for its members. Thus, longhouse in north Vancouver will have a great role to play in cultural preservation.
Say Nuth Khaw Yum, is an 18-kilometer fjord extending north from Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet. It holds deep historical and cultural significance for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation as it lies within their traditional territory. In 1998, BC Parks and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation signed a joint management contract for the park. They later renamed Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park in 2010, meaning “Serpent’s Land.” The Longhouse in North Vancouver will be a popular place because the park is a popular destination for outdoor activities. Activities such as motor boating, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, hiking, and fishing, attracting both locals and tourists.
Susie Chant, the MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour, expressed gratitude for the ongoing efforts of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in this project. She acknowledged their dedication to land and water stewardship, which has resulted in the restoration of coastal habitats. The funding for the longhouse in North Vancouver will contributes to the creation and maintenance of a culturally important environment.
