Native Plants of C’UÁN / Tl’elhum (Salt Spring Island)
ELSIE CLAXTON
Centennial Park's native plantings, as well as these pages, honour the memory of Elsie Claxton, respected SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) Elder and Knowledge Keeper for the W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) People.
Elsie Claxton had extensive knowledge of native plants, and her lifetime work was as a teacher of W̱SÁNEĆ ways, culture and language. She believed strongly that culture and language are essential to the identity of her people and go hand in hand, each informing and supporting the other. Today her work is carried on by her daughter Belinda Claxton, grandsons Earl Claxton, Jr., Nick Claxton, great-grandson Robert Clifford and others.
SYOW̱T/Shiya’hwt
The place that many of us call Ganges is actually SYOW̱T in the SENĆOŦEN language and Shiya’hwt in Hul’q’umi’num’. Visit the Salt Spring Archives Placenames Map for pronunciation and to learn more placenames.
RESOURCES
Some Links for Further Reference, Local Nurseries & Recommended Reading
See the list of websites, local nurseries, and a sampling of reading to learn more about native plants on Salt Spring Island.