“Pauquachin First Nation builds small island in Coles Bay,” June 6.

Well done Pauquachin! Reclamation of a rich shellfish habitat has been long overdue and I have huge respect for the young people working to help rehabilitate the mudflat area that supplied an abundance and variety of shellfish, and also attracted an array of species that recognized the important food chain that naturally existed there.

The practice of giving back existed before the Douglas Treaty, it existed before recognition of Aboriginal rights, it existed before the Saanichton Bay Marina decision.

The practice of giving back reflects an ancient relationship, the mountain touches the water and reminds people of the ancient relationship.

The young people working so hard in the June sun were doing what they know how to do, to give back to help restore food security. They have added to traditional knowledge with a deeper understanding of the ecology of saltwater systems.

Coles Bay is known as one of the warmest beaches on the Island, but there is limited shared knowledge of the high levels of industrial, residential and agricultural contamination that have plagued the area.

There is limited knowledge of the history of Indigenous First Nations that live beside the municipal settlements.

Craving shellfish is not just something that First Nations feel, it is a natural craving many humans have for the rich supplies of calcium and iron and many other good things that shellfish provide.

HISWKE HALE, thank you everyone, who was at work on a wondrous day, working in the heat of the sun amid criticism from those who did not understand.

You were not fulfilling an industrial mission to build an island, you were reclaiming an ancient practice of rehabilitating and giving back to the ocean. This is Indigenous law, this is your ­Indigenous birthright.

My hope is that you will always know and remain connected to this ancient system of justice.

Mavis TIWENOMOT Underwood

W̱SÁNEĆ Nation

Saanichton

Really? Victoria council is worried about downtown theatres? Why?

Why would anyone opt to go downtown for a movie when parking isn’t just hard to find, but stinking expensive.

Yes, it’s good exercise hopping over human excrement, used needles and dodging drug users and panhandlers, but I get my exercise elsewhere.

Thanks for thinking of us, councillors! Put your pathetic energies elsewhere!

Julia Pollard

Victoria

It’s not a good idea for Victoria council to get involved in movie theatres. Times change, and people just don’t patronize them as much as they used........

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