walk quietly / ts’ekw’unshun kws qututhun
walking with respect and honour along the shoreline
a guided walk at Hwlhits’um (Brunswick Point in Ladner, BC)
Educational Resource:
This guided walk provides a valuable resource for educators, telling the story of this Key Biodiversity Area in the Fraser Estuary from from the diverse and complex perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, scientists, and artists.. The walk links specific spots on the dike trail to the many contributions found on the website: https://walkquietly.ca.
This resource includes videos, audio interviews and essays from many contributors, including Chief Jim Hornbrook of Hwlitsum First Nation and the late Hwlitsum knowledge holder, Lindsey Wilson. Hul’q’umi’num’ words for local wildlife are posted and pronounced by Cowichan knowledge holder Jared Qwustenuxun Williams. Anthropologists, artists, and scientists each tell their stories of this magical and threatened biodiversity area.
Lindsey Jay Wilson, “This is my sacred place.”
Video: Amy Huestis, editing: Omar Zubair
Partners:
Other participating institutions include: Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Douglas College, Richmond Art Gallery, and Birds Canada, and Metro Vancouver Parks.
Contributors:
Chief Jim Hornbrook (Hwlitsum First Nation); Jared Qwustenuxun Williams (Hul’q’umi’num language teacher and knowledge holder); Lindsey Jay Wilson (Hwlitsum knowledge holder); Bill Angelbeck (archaeologist and anthropologist); James Casey (Birds Canada); Kris Cu (Birds Canada); Tristan Douglas (PhD candidate at IRSS); Hazel Fairbairn (musician); Amy-Claire Huestis (artist); Amie MacDonald (Birds Canada); Bruce Granville Miller (anthropologist); Kim Trainor (poet).
We humbly acknowledge this project takes place on the ancestral and present-day lands of Salishan Peoples, including the Hul'qumi'num Mustimuhw (Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group of seven Coast Salish Nations), scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam). This project is in participation and consultation with the Hwlitsum First Nation and works to build ties with all whose lands it touches.
Curators: Amy Huestis and Kim Trainor
walk quietly / ts'ekw'unshun kws qututhun is a community-guided walk located at the end of River Road West in Ladner, British Columbia. It tells the story of Hwlhits'um (Brunswick Point/ Canoe Pass) from the diverse and complex perspectives of scientists, artists, and Indigenous Peoples.
When asked how to say, “walk quietly,” or “walk softly,” Cowichan Elder, Dr. Luschiim Arvid Charlie provided the phrase “ts’ekw’unshun kws qututhun” and its definition to Jared Qwustenuxun Williams. Then Qwustenuxun wrote:
“Walking with respect and honour along the shore. He even broke it down further talking about how ts’ekw’un is the root word meaning to treat something with love, care, and respect. He used the word in reference to family, friends, and the earth. So I think it fits perfectly as the suffix shun refers to the foot or walking.”
