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The words “Salish” and “Sea”, used together, identify a very unique geographical feature. With this article, in order to further define the naming of the Salish Sea, I will consider the individual meaning of these two words.

Image: Redfish School of Change, 2017

The W̱SÁNEĆ 13 moon calendar, SḴÁU ȽTE, represents the natural laws of the W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) people. The calendar depicts the four seasons, the W̱SÁNEĆ 13 moons and the culturally important plants, food, medicines, animals and marine life and illustrates the flow of activities that occurred when W̱SÁNEĆ people lived a traditional life linked to nature.

Around the world, more and more laws are being passed recognizing that ecosystems — rivers, forests, mountains, and more — have legally enforceable rights. And if nature has rights, then humans have responsibilities.

In my pre-internet, pre-smartphone opinion, I'm not sure if this new program can replace the physical satisfaction of hearing coins drop and feeling that box around my neck, however, I'm very glad that Halloween can once again be about giving and not just looting. 

Did you know that the marine ecosystem that we now call the Salish Sea was recognized, and named something else, some 200+ years ago?

Have you heard of Saturna Island? It is one of the prettiest of the Gulf Islands that lie off the coast of British Columbia, and is the south-easternmost island in the Salish Sea within the Canadian border.

Our neighbour John had lived in Cabo for many years and was part of an organization called Amigos de los Niños or “Friends of the Children”. He insisted that I needed to come to a meeting to hear about the social issues facing the local people. And so I did.

The naming of the “Salish Sea” began with a proposal to call the combined waters of the Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuca the Salish Sea—first submitted to the Washington State Board of Geographical names in 1989.