About
Our Story
QENTOL, YEN / W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians Program
Our program is to revive A NEW BEGINNING of monitoring which our ancestors did throughout the Salish Sea since time immemorial
Our Vision
Find ways to ensure SRKWs have access to prey
Evaluate marine vessel impacts and monitor vessel activity around SRKWs
Collaborate with like-minded allies who also are working to protect SRKWs
Restore the relationship between the KELŁOLEMEĆEN and W̱SÁNEĆ people
Our story
In 2021, The QENTOL, YEN W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians began by hiring Senior Manager David Dick, who has since made great strides in establishing the project’s foundation for success.
Among the progress made so far, David has established a community-led plan for monitoring the endangered whales, collaborating with like-minded organizations, and re-establishing cultural connections between W̱SÁNEĆ people and the KELŁOLEMEĆEN / Resident Whales.
Beyond the logistical elements (such as staff and equipment) the most important piece for the success of the program is the creation of the Knowledge Holder’s’ Committee. Consisting of one representative each from Tsartlip and Tseycum, two language experts, and two technical experts, the committee will support The QENTOL, YEN W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians program with their work.
“It’s so important for us to have a Knowledge Holder’s’ Committee to give us feedback, help guide us and ground us. I am not the expert, so I recognize we will need help and support, especially when sensitive topics arise.” Dick explains.
QENTOL, YEN / W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardian Name and Logo background
During the first year of establishing our program, picking the right name was critical in starting our identity as W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians. The W̱SÁNEĆ Language Committee members; Belinda Claxton, Linda Elliott & John Elliott where approached to help find a name in SENĆOŦEN that describes our program. After several discussion the W̱SÁNEĆ Language Committee chose :
QENTOL, YEN
QEN – Watching out to sea
TOL – Out at sea
YEN – Comes from the word QENÁLIYEN which means reef net captain
W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardian Program had a Logo Contest with 3 submissions. The winning design came from Tseycum First Nation Artist James Jimmy.
James submitted a design called “Sea Wolf”, a wolf transforming into a Killer Whale.
James design, along with the new name, will be used on the QENTOL, YEN / W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardian boat, truck, uniforms, clothing, stationary items and more.
