A Nanaimo-based non-profit is asking people to express their love in HulB次元官网网址檘B次元官网网址檜miB次元官网网址檔um this ValentineB次元官网网址檚 day.

In an effort to revitalize and teach the regionB次元官网网址檚 First Nations language and raise money and awareness about the foundation, KwB次元官网网址檜mut Lelum Foundation is selling ValentineB次元官网网址檚 cards and e-cards.

Cards feature artwork by Benson Nelson, a Snaw-Naw-As and Nuxalk Nation youth, and the word nu stlB次元官网网址檌B次元官网网址� ch, which means B次元官网网址業 love you.B次元官网网址� The foundation is also promoting other ValentineB次元官网网址檚-related words, B次元官网网址榠yus mulintu skweyul (happy couples day or ValentineB次元官网网址檚 day), nan chB次元官网网址� uwB次元官网网址� nu stl B次元官网网址檌B次元官网网址� siem (you are important to me) and tlB次元官网网址檌B次元官网网址檚tamu tsun (I hold you dearly), as part of the campaign.

Sharon Hobenshield, executive director, credits the foundationB次元官网网址檚 communications team for conceiving the idea, as it had discussed a visual way to invite people to promote the foundation and emphasize revitalization of the language.

B次元官网网址淚n truth and reconciliation, itB次元官网网址檚 recognizing B次元官网网址� that there is a distinct language of HulB次元官网网址檘B次元官网网址檜miB次元官网网址檔um and that these communities are trying to revitalize it and use it and inviting people to know that it exists and to show respect by acknowledging and trying to use it in their daily language in our communications and relationships as we grow as a community,B次元官网网址� said Hobenshield.

Some of the initiatives that will benefit from proceeds include language revitalization programs and scholarships, said Hobenshield.

KwB次元官网网址檜mut Lelum Child and Family Services announced the formation of the foundation last summer, representing nine Coast Salish First Nations, including Snuneymuxw, Snaw-Naw-As and StzB次元官网网址檜minus, with a goal of collaborating with donors to assist Indigenous children and families.

B次元官网网址淭he foundation is all about the youths B次元官网网址� So bringing Benson in and inviting him to do the artwork just speaks to the values and how we want to include youths going forward,B次元官网网址� said Hobenshield.

Nelson, soon to be 11, referred to the artwork on the cards as B次元官网网址淢other EarthB次元官网网址檚 Heart.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 hope it influences a bunch of young artists that want to learn their culture,B次元官网网址� he said.

E-cards can be purchased via the foundationB次元官网网址檚 website and physical cards can be purchased at numerous locations from Nanoose Bay to Ladysmith. For more information, visit .

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