Ashley Hilliard

As one of the sponsors of this campaign, launched in the spring, I would like to provide islanders with an update. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, the campaign has reached almost 75% of its goal of $600,000. Now, $100,000 of combined pledges from a Donor Advised Fund and a private foundation will match any public donation to the campaign to carry it over the finish line. As a reminder, the funds are to help the SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation acquire a 2.17-acre parcel at the end of Menhinick Drive. The parcel is next to their reserve and to the Reginald Hill Nature Reserve. The campaign kicked off on June 3rd with a memorable feast on the beach at the reserve, with the SȾÁUTW̱ elders in attendance. A report of the event appeared in the Exchange. The SȾÁUTW̱ reserve is a village site on the north side of Fulford Harbour. Although Salt Spring was used and inhabited by the Coast Salish peoples for thousands of years before colonization and had several village sites, by…