As the Holiday season arrives and the days grow cozier, it’s the perfect time to gather as a family and create something special together. In this blog, we’re sharing budget-friendly craft activities that are fun for all ages. Whether you’re looking to decorate your home, make heartfelt gifts, or just enjoy a creative afternoon, these projects are easy to follow and require just a few materials. Read on for step-by-step instructions to bring these festive crafts to life!

At just 17 years old, Evelyn Harry from Malahat Nation has already shown incredible determination and resilience. Diagnosed with FASD and ADHD, she graduated from high school this past June and began a new chapter of her life this September in the Workplace Essential Skills and Training (WEST) program at Vancouver Island University in Duncan.

As the seasons turn and the air begins to cool, the return of the salmon signals an important time of gathering, gratitude, and tradition for Coast Salish communities. For generations, salmon have been central to the spiritual, cultural, and physical well-being of our people—providing nourishment, guiding teachings, and strengthening the ties between family, community, and land.

As the warm, sun-drenched days of Summer comes to an end, the excitement and bustle of a new school year comes into focus. This transition can be both exhilarating and daunting for families, especially for working parents balancing their schedules.

Foundry Snuneymuxw is set to open in spring 2026. It will offer easy-to-access services for children and youth ages 12 to 24, and their identified family members. The centre will support five main areas: physical and sexual health, mental health, substance use support, peer support, and social services. Foundry is working closely with partners across Nanaimo to make sure these services meet the real needs of young people.

Lacrosse has deep Indigenous roots in what is now Canada, with origins that trace back centuries before European contact. Learn more here!

Kw’umut Lelum is honoured to share the launch of our new culturally grounded support program: Red Road to Recovery — an initiative created by and for Indigenous Peoples walking through the complexities of addiction and recovery.

May 16th, over 70 women came together for a full day of self-empowerment, healing, and celebration of the strength of Indigenous women.

These gatherings create a space where cultural teachings are passed down, and community members share knowledge across generations. Families don’t just take home their finished crafts, they also bring home new skills that they can continue practicing and passing down to friends and family.

May 5th marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), more widely recognized as Red Dress Day. It is a day of remembrance, reflection, and most importantly — a call to action.

As spring unfolds, Orca Lelum Wellness Centre is honoured to share the latest updates on our journey of supporting Indigenous youth in their healing and wellness.

Kw’umut Lelum is proud to announce an important initiative to honour Coast Salish culture by transitioning the names of its programs and departments from English to Hul’q’umi’num. This significant step reflects Kw’umut Lelum’s commitment to cultural identity, ongoing decolonization of services, and respect for Coast Salish traditions.

We are excited to announce a new resource for families in our community: Seda Ozer, our FASD Key Worker at KL! Seda is here to support families of children and youth under 19 years of age who are living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or similar neurodevelopmental conditions.

This recipe is shared from the book Longhouse Kitchens by Mena Pagaduan, Eva Williams and Janet Moore, produced through the Canada Community Development Project, June 1982

Respecting the Harvest continues to teach respect for the land, the importance of family, and the reclamation of cultural traditions. As Chief John Elliott put it, “It’s teaching them about respect, family, and how to bring culture back into their lives and traditions.”

Imagine having the Hul'q'umi'num language at your fingertips, ready to explore through the voices of Elders, captivating stories, colourful visuals, and interactive games. A new chapter in the preservation and revitalization of Hul'q'umi'num begins with the launch of Ilhe Qwal (Let’s Talk), a free, immersive language app developed by Kw’umut Lelum in partnership with Ogoki Learning Inc.

October 17th, KL welcomed guest speaker Gene Harry (XiQuelum) from Malahat Nation, who shared heartfelt wisdom on kinship relationships and snuw’uy’ulh teachings that support families across our member Nations. XiQuelum spoke freely, offering teachings from the heart, highlighting the importance of working with others and, most importantly, with oneself.

October 2nd, KL proudly hosted our first-ever Qapthut S’ul’eluhw Elders Gathering, welcoming over 150 Elders from our member Nations. This special event was filled with reunions and new connections, celebrating the strength of our communities and culture.