Seycove at sə́yəmətən

BY NVSD COMMUNICATIONS

June 2022 – Seycove Secondary was gifted the name, Seycove at sə́yəmətən by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN). The English phonetic pronunciation of sə́yəmətən is ‘say-əm-me-ton.’

The naming process began in 2021, when retired Principal Rob McLeod and Indigenous Support Teacher

Andrea Yeo met with TWN Director of Treaty Land and Resources

Gabriel George and Cultural Program Manager William George Thomas.

TWN Council felt Seycove at sə́yəmətən was best suited for the school. In the hənqəminəm language, sə́yəmətən is the name of the original Indigenous village at Strathcona and means a place of good water Strathcona provided shelter and solace during rough water events for the TWN when they travelled through Indian Arm.

At a traditional ceremony, hosted at the school and which included TWN Council members, school district administrators, and Seycove students and staff, Gabriel explained how language was developed and how they are now in the process of revitalizing language and bringing it back to the land.

Hənqəminəm is spoken by many Coast Salish Nations, but there are different dialects. When language was developed, it was formed and influenced by the geography of place. Elements including elevation, proximity to water, and living in a valley or on the plains shaped vocal cords and allowed for different sounds to be made and enunciated.  Today, language is used to help undo trauma. “Today is healing,” said Gabriel. “Any little piece of language adds to the whole.”

Gabriel also shared how those present at the ceremony were witnesses, and how being a witness came with the responsibility to take what they had learned, commit it to memory and do the work that helps in healing.