Greetings and Hychka - thanks from Chief Linda Bristol for "the vision, determination and hard work" of her education coordinator Georgia Katz and Sooke School District director of education Terry Corcoran who got them to this day. Hychka "to Jim Cooper and his family for allowing us to use this land and build our school for our children."

Hychka for the cooperation and support of Sooke School District 62 and the funding from the federal and provincial governments, including the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, the BC Ministry of Economic Security and Social Development, the BC Ministry of Education.

With great hope for the future Chief Bristol offered her thanks for the project that she says "will harvest great minds and the T'so-uke Nation will benefit from this continuously for many years to come."

Then prayers from T'sou-ke elder Frank Planes and Queesto -Charles Jones, Hereditary Chief of Pacheedaht.

Previous prayers for good weather had already been answered. The sun was shining as T'sou-ke Nation held a groundbreaking for Sum-sha-thet Lellium - Sunshine House children's centre, for kindergarten-aged children.

It will house both an out of school program for school aged Aboriginal children and an early intervention language development and reading readiness program for children 4-5 years.

Chief Linda Bristol and Margot Swinburnson, Trustee Sooke School District No.62

T'sou-ke Nation is rebuilding. The signs of cultural and community renewal and restoration are everywhere, including the brand new cedar smokehouse. Having their own school with the opportunity to share more of their culture with the children will go a long way to address the high drop out rate of high school students. The statistics show on average they are twelve per cent more likely to leave at age 17 than non-Native students.

Chief Bristol in a recent interview with Turtle Island Native Network expressed her enthusiasm for the project and its importance to her community, "The earlier we start with them to get a good outlook, the better chance they have to graduate in the future".

When Sum-sha-thet Lellium opens in September 2001 it will fill a big need. The births in First Nation communities are on the rise everywhere and Chief Bristol says T'sou-ke is no different. With a large part of the community moving into their twenties, even more babies are likely.

Linda Bristol is well into half way through her term as chief, a job that she admits has more than its share of frustrating times. But the addition of the children's centre makes her feel good. It fits with her philosophy of "providing direction for change" and her goal of helping create a 'healthy' community for her people. Already there's an active health centre that provides workshops on diabetes prevention and management, and an ongoing alcohol and drug program.

So many changes, so many challenges, says Chief Bristol when asked about the T'sou-ke Nation today. But with confidence she quickly explains her simple philosophy of why she would take on such a tough task, "If people want to fix things, they've got to be there to fix it. If you're not there to solve the problem, then get out of the way."