Shishálh Nation

10/09/2026

October 9 marks 40 years of shíshálh Nation self-government.

Forty years ago, our people took an important step in exercising our right to govern ourselves and determine our own future. But the story of our self-government did not begin on October 9, 1986. It is part of a much longer history of shíshálh people governing, protecting and caring for our swiya since time immemorial.

Today, we honour the people who carried that vision forward.

We want to recognize and offer our deepest gratitude to our Elders, our hereditary Chiefs, our past Chiefs and Councils, and all the shíshálh people who worked, advocated and sacrificed to achieve self-government for our Nation. Their courage and determination created opportunities for the generations that followed. We are here today because of the work they did before us.

Self-government gives us the responsibility to make decisions for our people, our lands and our future. It allows us to build our government in a way that reflects who we are as shíshálh and to carry our own laws, values and traditions forward.

As we celebrate 40 years, we should be proud of what our people have built. We should also remember that self-government is not something we achieve once and then set aside. It is a responsibility we carry forward together.

The next generation will inherit what we build today, just as we inherited the work of those who came before us. Our responsibility is to honour their sacrifices, protect what they worked so hard to achieve and continue building for the generations who will follow.

On our 40th anniversary, we give thanks to all those who helped bring our Nation to this point. To our Elders and past leaders, and to all the shíshálh people who stood behind this vision: we raise our hands to you.

On behalf of our current hihewhiwus, we wish all shíshálh members a happy Self-Government Day.

?ulnumsh chalap,
hiwus kwa’sa?lahuet
Chief Warren Paull

Pictured below: Sitting: hiwus (Chief) Stan Dixon and the Minister of Indian Affairs Bill McKnight. Standing back row left to right Gordan Anderson, Woman unknown, Graham Allen, hewhiwus Ben Pierre Sr, hewhiwus Lloyd Jeffries, hewhiwus Warren Paull, hewhiwus Clarence Joe Jr.

10/01/2026

shíshálh Nation extends our deepest condolences to the families, loved ones and community of Tsawwassen First Nation following today’s tragic incident during their National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gathering.

On a day dedicated to remembering the children who never came home and honouring Survivors, our hearts are with everyone affected by this loss. We stand with Tsawwassen First Nation and send our strength, care and support to their community, Elders, families and all those impacted.

An incident occurred during today's event. Police are investigating, and there is no indication that it was intentional.

Our thoughts are with those affected.

We ask that privacy is respected at this moment. Further information will be shared when appropriate.

https://tsawwassenfirstnation.com/september-30-2026/

09/30/2026

Our hands go up to everyone who joined us today for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We gathered to remember the children who were taken from their families and never came home. We honour the Survivors, our Elders, our ancestors and the families who have carried this truth for generations.

This is not another day off.

This is a day to remember.
A day to listen.
A day to speak the truth.

There are still people who deny what happened. But you can deny us all you want. You cannot change the truth. You cannot erase our history. You cannot erase us.

They tried to take our language.
They tried to take our culture.
They tried to take our children.

They did not succeed.

As hiwus kwa’saʔlahuet shared today, he stood before our people speaking English because he was never taught she shashishalhem. He spoke about how his family was afraid to speak their truths and practice their culture.

But what was taken from one generation is now being reclaimed.

Our language is being spoken.
Our songs and dances are being carried forward.
Our culture is being practiced.
Our children are learning who they are and where they come from.

This is our way forward.

With the strength of our Elders.
With the teachings of our ancestors.
With the resilience of our Survivors.
With our language and culture.
With our children.

We are still here.

We are still shíshálh.

09/30/2026

hiwus Kwa’saʔlahuet Warren Paull on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

?iy te kwayel, (Good day)

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day for all Canadians to reflect on the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools. For shíshálh Nation, this is not distant history; it is our lived experience. St. Augustine’s Indian Residential School stood in our community for more than 70 years, and its impacts continue to be felt by our survivors, families, and future generations.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not a holiday. It is a call to action. A call to remember the children who never made it home. A call to honour the strength and courage of survivors. And a call to confront truths that, for far too long, were ignored or denied.

The history of St. Augustine’s remains deeply present within our Nation. Survivors, families and community members continue to carry the impacts of the residential school system, while also sharing their strength, knowledge and resilience with future generations.

Now, more than ever, we are reminded of the importance of standing together with compassion, respect and understanding. Reconciliation cannot move forward through division. It requires all of us to listen with open hearts, learn from one another, and build relationships rooted in truth and mutual respect.

Reconciliation must be more than a word. It must be reflected in our actions. It requires governments to honour their commitments, schools to teach the full history of residential schools, and each of us to choose learning over silence, understanding over assumptions, and action over complacency. Wearing an orange shirt is meaningful, but it is only the beginning.

On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I encourage all Canadians, and especially our neighbours here on the Sunshine Coast, to take time to learn, reflect and engage. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Learn about the history of the land and community you call home. Listen to survivors. Attend community events when invited, with respect and humility.

Most importantly, carry this work beyond September 30. The children we honour deserve more than one day of remembrance. Survivors deserve more than symbolic gestures. And future generations deserve a Canada that is committed to truth, justice and lasting reconciliation.

In the face of the profound impacts of St. Augustine’s and the residential school system across the country, our shíshálh people continue to move forward with strength and determination. We are revitalizing our language, celebrating our culture, supporting our youth and drawing guidance from our Elders. Our resilience is a testament to who we are as a Nation, and a reminder that reconciliation is not only about acknowledging loss, but also about recognizing and supporting the strength and vitality of Indigenous Peoples today.

On September 30, I invite you to stand with us. Remember the children. Honour the survivors. Learn the truth. And commit to walking the path of reconciliation, not just for one day, but every day.

hiwus Kwa’saʔlahuet
Chief Warren Paull
shíshálh Nation

09/28/2026

To the people of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, all Residential School Survivors and their families, and all those who stand against hate and racism:

shíshálh Nation stands with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc people in condemning the presence and actions of individuals associated with white nationalist and white supremacist ideology in the Kamloops area.

We do not accept intimidation, racism, hatred, or attempts to create fear within Indigenous communities or anywhere in our lands and communities.

As Indigenous Peoples, we know all too well the harm that racism and hatred can cause. Our peoples have endured generations of colonial violence, discrimination, dispossession, and attempts to undermine our identity, culture, language, and connection to our lands. We will not stand by while hateful ideologies seek to divide our communities or make Indigenous people feel unsafe on our own lands.

The images and reports coming from Kamloops are deeply concerning. To see masked individuals gathering and promoting an ideology rooted in white nationalism is not something that should be normalized or tolerated. Whether such actions are directed at Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, newcomers, or any other community, racism and hate threaten the dignity and safety of everyone.

We also stand in solidarity with all Residential School Survivors and their families. The strength, courage, and truth of Survivors continue to guide the path toward healing and reconciliation, and we honour those who carry the lasting impacts of the residential school system.

shíshálh Nation recognizes the strength and resilience of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and extends our support to their leadership, Elders, members, and community.

On September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, shíshálh Nation will host a Sacred Fire from sunrise to sunset in solidarity with the people of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Residential School Survivors, and their families. We welcome our community to join us in reflection, remembrance, and unity.

We also recognize the importance of standing together. Indigenous Nations, municipalities, community organizations, and people from all backgrounds must continue to speak clearly and firmly when hate appears in our communities.

There is no place for white supremacy in British Columbia.

There is no place for intimidation and racism in our communities.

And there is no place for hatred to take root on our lands.

shíshálh Nation stands with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. We stand with all Residential School Survivors and their families. We stand with all people who reject racism, hate, and white supremacy.

shíshálh Nation

09/26/2026

What does an 8.0 magnitude earthquake feel like?

You can experience it for yourself today at Community Emergency Preparedness Day!

The Quake Cottage earthquake simulator is here. Step inside and feel what it could be like when the ground starts shaking.

Come check it out, learn how to prepare for an emergency, connect with local emergency responders and organizations, grab some food, and get prepared.

Today | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
shíshálh Nation Administration Building
5555 Sunshine Coast Highway, Sechelt

The event is free and no registration is required. Come on down and feel the shake!

Learn more: https://www.scrd.ca/emergency-preparedness-day/

09/26/2026

Things are getting set up for Community Emergency Preparedness Day.

Come down, spend some time with community and learn more about preparing for emergencies.

Saturday, September 26
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
shíshálh Nation Administrative Building
5555 Sunshine Coast Highway, Sechelt

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a speech from hiwus Paull at 11 a.m.

There will also be emergency preparedness information, local organizations, demonstrations and activities throughout the day.

Everyone is welcome. No registration is required to attend.

09/23/2026

shíshálh Nation is proud to support Community Emergency Preparedness Day on September 26. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about emergency preparedness, connect with local organizations, and pick up some practical tips and resources.

The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the shíshálh Nation Administration Building. There will also be a raffle with great prizes, including a generator and portable power station.

Free and open to everyone. See the original post for the full details and workshop registration.

🚨 THIS SATURDAY: GET PREPARED! 🚨

Join us September 26 from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. for Community Emergency Preparedness Day! 🌎

🏚️ Experience Quake Cottage
🎒 Build a grab-and-go kit
🔥 Learn about FireSmart
💨 Explore air quality preparedness
🤝 Meet local emergency organizations
🍽️ Enjoy food
🎟️ Enter our raffle!

🏆 Prizes include a generator, portable power station, grab-and-go kits and more!

⏰ Raffle draw: 2:30 p.m. — you must be present to win.

📍 shíshálh Nation Administration Building, 📍 5555 Sunshine Coast Highway, Sechelt

🎉 Free • All ages • Everyone welcome!

👉 Workshop registration: www.scrd.ca/emergency-preparedness-day

06/21/2026

?iy te kwayel te ?ewk’ mes s-yiyaya (Good day friends and family), as we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

On June 21st, we honour the rich culture and history of our shíshálh Nation and our beautiful swiya (birthplace, land, “territory”). From the stunning landscapes of ch’átlich (Sechelt) to the vibrant traditions and language of she shashishalhem, shíshálh people continue to inspire with resilience and wisdom.

We also recognize the many ways our culture is shared and celebrated within our community, including gatherings such as s-yíyaya Days in ch’átlich (Sechelt), which bring people together in the spirit of culture, language, and connection.

We celebrate the teachings of our (s-)tl’éxtl’áx-mín (Elders) and the determination of our youth. We celebrate our s-yíyaya (families), our knowledge systems, and the work we do every day to uphold the laws and values of our shíshálh people. Every step we take, whether through ceremony, education, or community-building, is a continuation of the path our ancestors laid for us.

Let us come together in gratitude and respect for all Indigenous Peoples, acknowledging their connection to the land and the deep cultural heritage they share with us all.

ʔulnumshchalap (Thank you all)
hiwus, hihewhiwus shíshálh Nation (Chief and Council, shíshálh Nation)

06/20/2026

Introducing our newly sworn-in híwus kwa’saʔlahuet (Chief Warren Paull) and híhewhíwus (Councillors): xwaʔ (Philip Paul), lh’ayaxwemat (Selina August), chusep (Jamel Paul), and tsesote (Benny Pierre Jr.).