Gathering place

This project has been underway for quite awhile, and since I walked down Xwaaqw'um with Krista a few weeks ago, much work has been done. "Located in the heart of Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Territory, Xwaaqw’um lies across from Hwtl’upnets (Maple Bay) in Sansum Narrows, a stretch of ocean separating Vancouver Island’s eastern coast and Salt Spring Island." (quote from this website)
The main blip is of a gathering place at one end of the trail, and I'm assuming that elders and others with Indigenous knowledge will speak to interested people at scheduled times. I must watch the local paper for information. I worked in Quw'utsun territory for years; the satellite campus of the college was located on reserve. I learned so much from colleagues and students from Quw'utsun and other Indigenous communities, from the campus Elders, and from Indigenous guests to the classes in the UBC program I worked with (NITEP). 
Carved posts have been erected along the trail as well. I posted one of them in my other journal. Might post some others in future blips.
It's fantastic to see this project underway and the long Indigenous history and claim to this area finally being acknowledged. I've included extras of the three information signs posted at the gathering place. I know quite a few of the people in the middle one and hopefully will see some of them as the project unfolds. Easier to see the signs in large view.
Xwaaqw'um is one of my very favourite places to walk, lots of good energy there. This morning I picked blackberries along the trail. Others have obviously been picking them but I got enough for a blackberry/blueberry/apple crumble and some to freeze. There are still lots to ripen so I'll definitely pick more. When Krista and Dan visited, she brought us some blueberries that she, Renata and Kalyn had picked and frozen so except for the apple, all the fruit was free. I also made a pot of creamed zucchini and potato soup with onion, chives and garlic and a roasted beet salad with arugula, onion, chives, garlic and feta. Everything in both the soup and salad came from the garden except for the potato and feta. How satisfying is tonight's meal going to be? Delicious too. So a busy day but a very enjoyable one.