This morning, the Board of Education was pleased to share the name of our newest elementary school during a special blessing ceremony on-site. The future K to grade five school at 802 Latoria Road is set to open in fall 2025 with 480 seats for students.
SĆIȺNEW̱ (pronounced schee-ay-nuh) translates to salmon. SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ(pronounced ska-leetk-luth) translates to children.
“We are extremely proud to gift this name to the Sooke School District,” said Russ Chipps, Chief of Sc’ianew First Nation. “Lavina Charles, a respected elder and knowledge keeper from Sc’ianew First Nation led the search for a name that reflected our culture and a place for learning. SĆIȺNEW̱ represents the richness of the sea life in our region that sustains our land and people. SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ is one of the most important words in SENĆOŦEN language because it means children and, in our culture, they are our most precious resource.” Chief Chipps acknowledged that learning how to pronounce the name may be challenging at first, but it’s a perfect metaphor for the learning that happens in our schools – a new concept is hard at first and becomes easier with practice and guidance.
Learn how to say SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ:
Hear from Sc'ianew Chief and Council about the name and meaning:
Thank you to the following special guests for joining us to be part of this important day:
- Sc'ianew First Nation (Chief Russ Chipps, Councillor Bernice Millette and Councillor Traci Pateman) including Elders and members of the community.
- Grandma Lavina Charles from Sc'ianew First Nation who came up with the name and her family.
- Elder Shirley Alphonse
- Brother Rick Peters
- Sharon Jay, Te’mexw Treaty Association
- Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
- MLA Ravi Parmar
- MLA Mitzi Dean
- City of Langford
- City of Colwood
Special thanks to Kinetic Construction who are building the new school and helped prepare for the blessing and announcement.