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.

Our 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

As a legacy First Nations Education organization, the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board (W̱SB) is governed by the elected Chiefs and Councils (The Board) of W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), and W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) First Nations. The W̱SB currently provides Educational Services and SENĆOŦEN Language Revitalization programs to over 400 learners in W̱SÁNEĆ territory.

W̱SÁNEĆ communities are celebrating 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 (remove reference) 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.