ĆENHENEN: Humpback Salmon Return to the Earth.

The 13 Moon Calendar unites the W̱SÁNEĆ people with the cycles of nature informing important protocols, ceremonies and subsistence practices. The S’TEṈISTOLW̱ conference is pleased to welcome you during the 7^th moon, ĆENHENEN: The Humpback Salmon Moon.

Salmon are one of the most important relationships within W̱SÁNEĆ culture, their kinship practices with salmon inform their social practices within community. The W̱SÁNEĆ are known as the “Saltwater People”. Without salmon, the people would not thrive; this understanding is both recognized and honoured within their culture.  Salmon are deft instructors in W̱SÁNEĆ culture, teaching humility and reverence for nature. 

Within the 13 Moon Calendar of the W̱SÁNEĆ people there are four moons that are named for the salmon that come back to the earth at that time. ĆENŦEḴI (6th moon), honours the return of the Sockeye, ĆENŦEḴI (8th moon), the Coho, and ĆENQOLEW̱ (9th moon) is when the dog salmon return.

ĆENHENEN is when the humpback salmon come back to the earth.  The humpback was the most plentiful of all the salmon coming by the thousands.  At this time the weather was incredibly dry which made it a great time for drying materials and foods; however, the W̱SÁNEĆ people also made sure to guard against starting grass or bush fires. W̱SÁNEĆ people also hunted and ate whale and seal meat to vary their diet. The salmon fisheries were successful and abundant so culturally this was a time to share the wealth with others through gatherings with neighbouring villages and Nations.  Gatherings included memorial Potlatches, naming ceremonies, weddings, blessings, and traditional sporting events.  These ceremonies were important to reaffirm family ties and history. Potlatches allowed the more fortunate to share their abundance with people who were less fortunate and an integral part of the W̱SÁNEĆ value system.

S’TEṈISTOLW̱ is honoured to facilitate the sharing of an abundance of wisdom and knowledge at the conference in the 7^th moon, ĆENHENEN.

Elliott, P (D). 1990, Saltwater People (2^nd ed). Saanich School Board

Watch the video below to learn how to pronounce the 13 moons.