J,SINTIN will talk about the connection of WSANEC People to the islands, as well as a history of the JSINSET Clan (the meaning of the word as it relates to our family going back to the 1600’s). As a traditional Knowledge Keeper of Tsartlip First Nation and W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, Elder John Elliott has taught in the Lau Welnew School at Tsarlip First Nation for over 40 years. A leader in language revitalization, he has made it his life’s work to ensure the SENĆOŦEN language is documented and taught.

John has taught language and culture courses through the University of Victoria and Camosun College, and is Chair of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation. He co-founded FirstVoices.com, a web-based archive of over 70 different Indigenous languages. He has been instrumental in creating new opportunities for teachers from his community to become fluent in their language, which in turn facilitated a language immersion program for young children and their parents.