WEXES (Moon of the Frog)

March 3 2023

In W̱SÁNEĆ culture the frog represents the beginning of a period of change, the time of year when you start to wind down winter’s activities, and head back outside again in anticipation of the arrival of spring. Due to the recent snowfall and unusually cold temperatures that our region has been experiencing this year, it would be fair if you didn’t really feel like Spring was on the horizon. This speaks to the sense that traditionally observed weather patterns are increasingly challenging to predict, which is a relatively modern feature of the era of climate change that we are now living in. It can be instructive to look to the observations represented across the 13 moons of the W̱SÁNEĆ lunar calendar to see how the natural ebb-and-flow of the seasons is being disrupted by our societies’ behavior. It is also important, however, not to become disheartened by these disruptions, but to recognize the importance of consciously reconnecting to the landscapes that you are a part of so that you can enter into a healthier, reciprocal relationship to the land. To do this, it helps to become more in tune to the way that the landscape changes over the course of the year. 

On Tuesday, February 21st we celebrated the arrival of WEXES (the Moon of the Frog) with our colleagues at Power to Be. The day itself was a perfect representation of the kinds of rapidly shifting weather conditions that we are growing accustomed to. The morning’s ominous clouds gave way to blindingly bright blue skies, and as we organized ourselves for the arrival of the day’s volunteers everyone was remarking over how perfect of an afternoon it was going to be to do some restoration. We spoke too soon. All of a sudden dark cloud rolled over Prospect Lake, bringing with it heavy sheets of hail and rain pelting down upon us – forcing our group to gather indoors at first. 

The weather calmed down some, and we were able to come together in a circle outside where we introduced ourselves. Tiffany Joseph then shared with the group the significance of WEXES in W̱SÁNEĆ culture, as well as the history of the relationships between the many different nations who inhabit these territories, examining this history through the lens of the unique artistic traditions that each nation has developed.  

Beginning to feel the effects of the cold air, we decided it was time for folks to get their bodies moving so we walked over to our restoration site to begin the work. Power to Be’s Prospect Lake home is located on the site of a former golf course, and as such the natural ecosystems and the native plants which would have once called it home have been radically displaced. However, great efforts have already been taken to begin stewarding these lands once again with the creation of a native plant garden and with the removal of some of the most problematic invasive species. Our job today was to perform maintenance work on a piece of land that had once been completely enveloped in Scotch Broom. Past volunteers had removed a huge amount of mature Broom from the site, but due to the long-lived seed bank it was now time to do another pass; removing the emerging Broom by hand before it has a chance to go to seed. 

Our group tackled the Scotch Broom (as well as Holly, Canada Thistle, and English Ivy) with great enthusiasm despite the inclement weather, and after accumulating an impressive pile of invasive plant biomass, we found shelter at Power to Be’s roundhouse where we shared tea, snacks, and huddled around the fire for warmth.  

Before closing for the day, Tiffany shared with our group the SENĆOŦEN names for many of the plants and animals that can be found across Coast Salish territory, particularly in our local native ecosystems – highlighting the critically important connection between language and stewardship of the land. As we closed out the day together folks shared their reflections of an afternoon spent caring for the land out in the rain, and despite the cold temperatures outside there was certainly a feeling of warmth and rejuvenation amongst the group. It didn’t hurt that a couple members of our group did manage to actually spot a tree frog as well, signaling that despite the present cold that there would be warmer days coming soon.    

HÍSW̱ḴE to all those who braved the rain and cold to join us out on the land, and to all the folks at Power to Be for hosting us and for all their support in helping make this event possible! 

Power to Be is an organization that works to make sure that everyone can get outside, helping people living with disabilities overcome obstacles that can stand in the way of accessing nature and the outdoors. To learn more about Power to Be check out: https://powertobe.ca/