Assisted Living Locations
Applications for our assisted living locations are managed in partnership with Island Health and BC Housing. For information on how to apply, please visit our Applications page.
Jesken Aerie
817 Goldstream Ave
Langford, BC
JESKEN is a SENĆOŦEN term for Golden Eagle. The eagle represents the most visible reminder of our connection to the natural and supernatural worlds. AERIE is the nest of a bird, built on a high place such as a cliff or perch.
Jesken Aerie is a partnership between the District of Langford, BC Housing, and Island Health through the Independent Living BC Program that provides housing for Elders/Seniors. The objective of this program is to provide affordable housing and services that support Elders/Seniors and people with disabilities in maintaining the independence they desire.
The residents are seniors and Elders, as well as adults with disabilities who are able to direct their own care and whose health will be better managed by support and care within the community rather than within a residential care setting. These services and accommodations will be made affordable for lower-income Residents through financial assistance from BC Housing and the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
Jesken Aerie includes 60 units of Elders/seniors housing along with common/communal space for recreation, meals and personal care services. The site is just minutes by foot from all major amenities (doctors, groceries, restaurants, post office, etc).
Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum
5755 Allenby Rd
Duncan, BC
Pronounced (Ts-ee-tsu-wa-tul Lay-lum) Hul’qumi’num for Home for Helping Each Other. Independence throughout our life journey likely will require additional support as we age, and these supports will extend our independence in a healthy and safe way.
Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum is designed with these life changes and corresponding supports in mind. We provide culturally responsible support to Elders through on-site professionals and Indigenous, culturally trained and qualified staff, who provide a range of services and personal care support. Our property features 50 self-contained, apartment-style units for Elders and persons with disabilities.
The Cowichan project is designed and will be operated in a manner that celebrates and incorporates Indigenous Culture through Indigenous Design and Decor, Indigenous Staff Orientation, and Special spaces to encourage Indigenous Ceremonies, such as a Ceremonial Room.
Application Process
For more information about our Housing Units types and their qualification requirements, as well as information about how to apply please visit our Applications page.
The Totem Pole Story
THUNDERBIRD – KILLER WHALE – FROG
It was once said that this huge Transformation bird, the Thunderbird, was once a human. This story told by my father, is about a Medicine man who had concern for the people in the community. The concern was about this huge killer whale at the mouth of the river, preventing any salmon from coming upriver to spawn or allowing any members of the community to harvest salmon for winter feed. The Medicine man warned the killer whale about his actions. “I will give you only one warning”. But the killer whale ignored the voice of the medicine man. The medicine man prayed for the Creator’s power to deal with this issue. He then got the vision of what to turn into. The wish was to be an eagle, but instead he turned into Thunderbird, which was larger than expected of what he wanted to be. He then looked into the water and noticed feathered like horns on the side of his head.
The message was that when he opened his eyes it will symbolize lightning, when he opened his mouth it will symbolize thunder. Thunderbird then looked for the killer whale and found him. “I warned you what will happen if you ignore me”. Thunderbird then dove towards the killer whale, and scooped the greedy, evil whale and flew towards Mt. Tzouhalem and dropped the whale on top. Little did the S’hwu’hwa’us know he dropped it on top of a frog (Tzouhalem). And on top of the mountain there is a little lake, which you can throw a flat stone, and if it skips for a long time it’ll tell you you’re going a great distance to get married, and for a short distance your going to marry close by. The lesson was hard for the other whales, but they took the Thunderbird’s message well. And from there was the change of heart, only take what you need.
The totem pole always has a story of each community. Our totem is our bible and the reason for saying this is we did not have any written language, so we told it on the totem.
The top of the totem symbolizes guidance to the Spirit World after we finish our Walk on Mother Earth.
The middle figure of any totem symbolizes the heart. The Walk on Mother Earth teaches us to Respect and Honor and we become the environment ourselves.
The bottom of the totem symbolizes grounding. We learn to be ourselves, respect other Elder voices to our hearts and minds. Because the voice is the Spirit from the Soul, when you lose someone special you lose part of your Soul too. That’s why the Elder voices are special to keep you grounded and be with loved ones.
Harold Joe, Carver & Elder
Logo Designer Spotlight
Stuart Pagaduan – Cowichan Tribes Member
Born in 1970. Stuart was born and raised on the S’amun’a Reserve in the Cowichan Valley. Stuart was raised by his grandparents and has learned the value and importance of Culture and Language. For the past 15 years Stuart has been creating unique and creative Coast Salish Art. Working in many different mediums such as wood, graphic design, gold and silver jewellery, clothing, glass and drums. Stuart continues to create modern pieces while remaining committed to the traditional style of Coast Salish Art. His work can be found locally and throughout the world.
Title of logo – Yuxwule’ (Eagle)
This image is created in the spirit of the Coast Salish People. It’s a Spindle Whorl design with two eagles. The two eagles are male and female representing the balance we have in life. The eagles are our spiritual protectors and helpers. We humbly ask for spiritual strength for ourselves and others. Helping one another is one of the biggest teachings of the Salish People. By doing this, it is said we bring medicine to all people in our community. It is critical that we take care of our Elders. Our Elders are the richness of our community. So again we come back to our image which represents unity, strength and healing. By seeking knowledge and wisdom from our Elders we can grow to become a strong and proud community.
Monthly rents for MAR units are set by M’akola and do not change based on household income and composition. Applicants must meet household income limit guidelines to qualify for MAR units.