About the W̱SÁNEĆ
School Board

The W̱SÁNEĆ School Board provides educational programming, SENĆOŦEN language, and lifelong learning opportunities through the SȽEȽEMW̱ Child Development Centre, ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ Tribal School, LENOṈET SCUL,ÁUTW̱, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Secondary School, and W̱SÁNEĆ College, serving over 500 learners.

The W̱SÁNEĆ School Board is founded on W̱SÁNEĆ values and the principles of First Nations Control of First Nations Education, representing over 50 years of collaborative leadership and governance by the elected Chiefs and Councils of W̱JOȽEȽP/Tsartlip, SȾÁUTW̱/Tsawout, BOḰEĆEN/Pauquachin, and W̱SÍKEM/Tseycum First Nations.

Vision

The W̱SÁNEĆ School Board’s Vision is to provide lifelong learning opportunities for our future leaders grounded in speaking SENĆOŦEN language and living W̱SÁNEĆ culture, affirming jurisdiction and declaration over our lands and waters and inherent right to self-determination.

Mission

W̱SÁNEĆ School Board’s mission is to provide wholistic and inclusive learning environments that connect the cultural, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs of all learners based on our SENĆOŦEN SḰÁL, SNEPENEK, W̱SÁNEĆ Values and ĆELÁṈEN ȽTE.

Philosophical Statements

Grounded in W̱SÁNEĆ Values, SENĆOŦEN language, Á,LEṈENEȻ, Culture and History:

Our education is deeply grounded in W̱SÁNEĆ values, language, culture, homelands, worldview, and honoring our ĆELÁṈEN.

Empowering Academic Success in a Changing World of Diversity:

W̱SÁNEĆ students are provided with abundant opportunities to excel academically, equipping them with the skills and resilience needed to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Creating a Welcoming, Safe and Inclusive Environment:

We prioritize a W̱ILṈEW̱ spirit and identity within a welcoming, safe and inclusive learning environment that supports the well-being of every individual within our learning family, fostering trust, compassion, and belonging.

Immersion of SENĆOŦEN Language:

SENĆOŦEN teaches wholistic ways of knowing, connecting our students to their cultural heritage and empowering them to thrive and live in both Indigenous and Western worlds.

W̱SÁNEĆ Values

  • ŚW̱ELO₭E
    Family

  • ŦELÁṈET
    Initiative

  • QENÁȽ
    Responsibility

  • ŦE,ITḴEN
    Honesty

  • W̱U,IȻEN I, ĆȺ,ĆI OL ŚX̱ENÁṈS
    Positive attitude and willingness to work hard

  • W̱,Í,Í,ȻEN
    Self-Respect

  • ȽKIL
    Confidence

  • MEȾENÁN
    Pride

  • ÍY, SLÁLE OL SṮO,ṮEM,ENEȻ
    Safety

  • Á,TOL E TŦE EȽTÁṈEW̱ SȻÁs I, TŦE SḰÁLS
    Respect for the rights and values of others

History of W̱SÁNEĆ School Board

In 2024, W̱SÁNEĆ communities celebrated over 50 years of educational unity and leadership with continued growth of the SENĆOŦEN Language Immersion and ÁLEṈENEȻ (Learning from the Homelands), transformation of the Saanich Adult Education Centre into W̱SÁNEĆ College; and production of the documentary “I,ŚETEṈ E TŦE ĆESE ŚX̱ENÁṈs TEṈEW̱ – Walking in Two Worlds.”

These milestones reflect the vision and dream of W̱SÁNEĆ Elders both past and present, representing continued jurisdiction and sovereignty over education.

The History of W̱SÁNEC School Board

This film tells the story of how the W̱SÁNEĆ people came together to create their own school, guided by ancestral teachings and the flood story of ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱. Through elders’ voices, community celebration, and traditions expressed in language, art, and architecture, the school stands as a powerful symbol of decolonization and a source of cultural strength for current and future generations.

W̱SB Strategic Plan

The W̱SÁNEĆ School Board Strategic Plan 2024–2029 outlines a vision of lifelong learning rooted in SENĆOŦEN language, W̱SÁNEĆ culture, and self-determination. It focuses on seven goals: strong governance, language and culture revitalization, lifelong learning, family and community engagement, sustainable finances, staff support, and meaningful partnerships—providing a clear roadmap for student success and educational sovereignty.