kim trainor

Brunswick Point / image: Shutter

This Saturday 21 October “walk quietly / ts’ekw’unshun kws qututhun” was launched: a community-guided walk located at the end of River Road West in Ladner that tells the story of Hwlhits’um (Brunswick Point/Canoe Pass) from the diverse and complex perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, scientists, and artists.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. Qwustenuxun wrote that Luschiim meant, “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.”

Following a land acknowledgement and welcome from Chief Jim Hornbrook of Hwlitsum First Nation, those in attendance participated in the self-guided walk along the dike through this key biodiversity area.

The guided walk can be taken independently at any time. Bring your cell phone, as you will be able to access videos and readings along the route at: https://walkquietly.ca. A booklet is also for sale in print form at the Richmond Art Gallery, and for free in PDF format, available on the website.

Along the way, visitors can access recordings of Hul’q’umi’num’ words for local fauna and flora; an oral history of Canoe Pass by Hlitsum knowledge holder Lindsey Wilson; a video of a 3D rendering of the mudflats at Roberts Bank, which produces biofilm that sustains the Western sandpiper and Dunlin; a video on the Motus Wildlife Tracking system; and artistic responses to this complex and beautiful place.

Parking is available at 3150 River Rd W, Delta, BC. It is a 15-minute along the dike to the beginning of the guided walk.

We humbly acknowledge this project takes place on the ancestral and present-day lands of the Coast Salish 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.

Curated by Amy-Claire Huestis and Kim Trainor, the walk links specific spots on the dike trail at Hwlhits’um to the many contributions found on the website. Follow the trail and listen, watch, and learn about this special place.  

We are grateful to Hwlitsum First Nation, Richmond Art Gallery, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Birds Canada, Douglas College, and Metro Vancouver Parks for their partnership and support.