A Remarkable Video Project: SX̱OLE (The Reef Net)

In August of 2024, Remarkable Communications had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) to capture footage of the annual launch of the reef net, a previously outlawed W̱SÁNEĆ cultural practice. This video celebrates the ongoing revitalization of culturally significant reef net technology within the W̱SÁNEĆ community.

WHY IS THE REEF NET IMPORTANT?

SX̱OLE (reef net fishing) is an important and ancient practice in W̱SÁNEĆ culture. SX̱IX̱ŦE (the reef net site) on S,DÁYES (Pender Island) is particularly meaningful because it features prominently in W̱SÁNEĆ oral history.  The collaborative nature of reef net fishing brought the W̱SÁNEĆ community together. Because SX̱OLE technology was unique to the W̱SÁNEĆ community, it was an essential part of the nation’s identity. In the 1900s, the Canadian government criminalized the practice of SX̱OLE. After being outlawed for decades, XEMŦOLTW̱ (Nick Claxton), a reef net expert who wrote his PhD on SX̱OLE, began the process of reintroducing SX̱OLE technology in 2014. Fast forward to 2020, the WLC began contributing to this powerful journey with the support of XEMŦOLTW̱ and other Knowledge Keepers. Every year since, W̱SÁNEĆ youth have worked together, passing along the knowledge of this vital, ancient practice. With each reef net launch, the WLC takes crucial steps toward revitalizing SX̱OLE technology.

Capturing SX̱OLE Launch

Our team was asked to film the 2024 Reef Net launch with one key objective in mind: celebrating the revitalization of this cultural practice. The video created from the footage informs and updates W̱SÁNEĆ community members who may have been previously unaware of the WLC’s efforts to revitalize SX̱OLE. It also informs and educates settlers about W̱SÁNEĆ, who have lived on the land we now know as Saanich since time immemorial.

How Remarkable Communications Captured Content On Launch Day

Our team arrived early at the boat launch to prepare and meet the youth launching the reef net. From there, the team boarded a Tsartlip stewardship boat at 9:00 a.m. After an hour-and-a-half commute while towing a canoe, we docked on S,DÁYES (Pender Island). Following that, we headed to SX̱IX̱ŦE (the reef net site), and after a blessing from the hereditary chief of Tsawout, WEC’KINEM (Eric Pelkey), the reef net was launched at 11:00 a.m. Our team captured footage and witnessed the important work the youth were doing before traveling back.

The day wrapped up at approximately 4:00 p.m. Filming was challenging due to some complications. Many were expected, such as wake, tide, and haze disrupting filming. Unexpected complications arose when it came to filming with the drone. Because there is a border at the harbour of Pender Island, the airspace is restricted. Despite the map showing that filming would be allowed, the US blocked the drone from working and forced the drone to land back on the dock. Upon moving further away from the restricted airspace, our team successfully flew the drone and collected overhead footage. 

Next Steps Before Finalizing The Reef Net Video

About a week after the launch, our team interviewed most Reef Net participants, along with the  three team leaders. These interviews provided a great deal of invaluable insight into the significance of this launch and encouraged more W̱SÁNEĆ youth to get involved in revitalizing the practice of SX̱OLE.  

The Final Reef Net Video

After the launch and subsequent interviews of participants, the footage was combined and edited into a compelling four-minute video. The video successfully met the client’s goal of celebrating the youth’s accomplishments and revitalization of the Reef Net. Our team at Remarkable Communications is honoured to have the opportunity to participate in this important cultural revitalization and to witness history being made.