On April 26th, 2025, SC’IȺNEW held the Nation’s annual community meeting, welcoming community members for an afternoon of food, sharing, and planning for SC’IȺNEW’s future.

SC’IȺNEW’s community meetings are an important part of the Nation’s commitment to transparency and collaboration. While meetings were on hiatus for multiple years, SC’IȺNEW resumed regular community meetings on July 13th, 2024 and plans to continue making them a core fixture of community life.

This year’s community meeting took place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Metchosin School House and was well attended by community members. The meeting kicked off with a delicious meal catered by Hungry Bubbas food truck and prayer by Isabelle Charles, then continued with a series of informative presentations.

During the presentations, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the following topics: Capital Projects, Economic Initiatives, Finance and Audit, and Specific Claims; Health Service Programming; the work of the Lands Department; Social Development; Housing; Health and Wellness, Education, and Children and Youth; and the work of the Ocean Resources Department.

During the Health Service Programming presentation, Health Manager Krista Johnny discussed how SC’IȺNEW is addressing community mental health, substance use, and harm reduction, including a discussion of the ways SC’IȺNEW is collaborating with third parties to better serve the community. The team also discussed new and ongoing general health initiatives and the many health resources available to the community.

The Ocean Resources Department presentation by Project Coordinator Michael Campbell was similarly packed with information, including an overview of current goals such as tracking commercial vessel traffic, monitoring Eel Grass and Bull Kelp beds, marine environmental protection, oil spill response, and planning the next Tribal Journeys event.

And, during the Capital Projects, Economic Initiatives, and Finance presentation by Chief Administrative Officer Ruth Sauder, attendees learned about SC’IȺNEW’s current audit statement and financial position, the current state of the new Community Building, the new members’ subdivision, and many of the other ongoing community projects.

The presentations were followed by a question-and-answer period, providing opportunities for community members to voice their feedback & creating an atmosphere of transparency and collaboration.

To make the event accessible to as many community members as possible, Remarkable Communications facilitated a live stream of the event, ensuring those who were unable to join in person could still participate fully. Remarkable also recorded the event for those unavailable at the scheduled time. Copies of the presentations and recordings are available by contacting the band office at 250-478-3535.

SC’IȺNEW thanks all of the community members who made this community meeting a success – whether by attending in person, watching the live stream, or watching the recording. This type of community collaboration is essential to SC’IȺNEW’s health as a Nation, and SC’IȺNEW looks forward to creating many more opportunities to work together.

To provide feedback on the community meeting or propose ideas for how it can better serve the needs of the community, please contact the office at 250-478-3535.

To stay up to date on upcoming meetings and other community announcements and events, be sure to subscribe to the  SC’IȺNEW newsletter.