Commitment  towards
‍Decolonizing  

Frog Hollow, with funding support from Heritage Canada, guided by Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council (MVAEC) and Vancouver Aboriginal Policing Centre (VACPC),  has been exploring ways to strengthen our community using approaches that align with those of Indigenous peoples and acknowledge our deep connection with the land.

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Waacus Salee means Frog Spirit in Salish language. Shane Pointe, a proud Musqueam artist, gifted Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House this name for our intention and commitment towards decolonization .

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As the symbol of our project, the frog engenders the push towards transformation. The frog call in the spring signals the end of winter and the time to get started doing the work to prepare for the growing season.

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It is essentially a call to action.

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At Frog Hollow, we are heeding this call to do the work needed to reexamine our beliefs and ways of doing things and develop a new approach that aligns better with Indigenous worldviews.  

Since September 2019, Waacus Salee has aimed to promote awareness of Indigenous history and teachings to our community, especially amongst newcomers.

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Going Beyond Land Acknowledgements, this project has created a hub for cultural exchange at the Clinton Park Fieldhouse (P’ipa:m Lelum – Frog House) where programs such as cooking, drum circles, and Indigenous art workshops have been taking place.

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The Waacus Salee Advisory Circle was formed in January 2020. Circle members include leaders from Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations who are committed to making positive changes within their organizations and the larger community.

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On the traditional, unceded and occupied territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, we are grateful to have Clinton Park Fieldhouse as part of our community hub connecting people of all ages and cultures. We hope to build a safe and welcoming space for people to recognize, learn and celebrate the heritage and diverse cultures of Indigenous peoples.

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Thanks to Shane Point, our fieldhouse was blessed with a Salish name P’ipa:m Lelum. “P’ipa:m” means frog, and “lelum” means house.

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The logo for P’ipa:m Lelum – Frog House was gifted by Luther Aday, a Kwakwaka’wakw artist, singer, and storyteller from the Musgamagw Dzawadenuxw people from Kingcome Inlet B.C. and the Mamalilikulla Mimkwimlis from Compton Island and (Kwikiwasutenuxw) Gilford Island B.C.

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In West Coast tradition, it is said that when the last snow of the winter falls on the ground, it all turns into Frogs. Then the people know that there is only six weeks until the Salmon return to the rivers and summer begins. The frog in this artwork depicts a powerful transformer, connecting both water and earth as well as the natural and supernatural. Above it, is the Sun and the supernatural ear that extends down to complete the circle.

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P’ipa:m Lelum – Frog House is located at 2690 Grant Street – Clinton Park Fieldhouse in East Vancouver*. Built through the lens of Indigenous principles and leadership, it has become a place to honor the First Nations history, people and the land; a place of song, of art, of nature, of connection and where we turn ideas into action.

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*Our stewardship with Clinton Park Fieldhouse ends in December 2024

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At Frog Hollow, we continue to find ways to adopt Indigenous approaches to our programming and promote cultural understanding and sharing.  We hope to continue creating space within the community for dialogue on decolonization and the importance of connecting with the land.  Through ongoing drum circles, plant workshops and cultural out trips we commit to bridging the gap between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community and connecting newcomers and long-term residents with Indigenous history and culture.  

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The Frog House at Clinton Park has been a hub for cultural exchange and community connection in the past over 5 years. Though, our stewardship of the Clinton Park Fieldhouse has come to an end, but this does not stop us from seeking new opportunities to continue our cultural and decolonizing work at Frog Hollow Community.