Long before Kitsilano became one of Vancouver’s most desirable neighbourhoods, it was home to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh village of Sen̓áḵw.
In 1913, the B.C. government illegally seized the land, forcing residents onto barges before burning their homes to the ground. While settlers viewed this as a scandal at the time, their outrage stemmed not from the displacement itself, but from how it was carried out.
Christopher Cheung of The Tyee explores this troubling history through the research of Dr. Mayana Slobodian, whose study reveals how settlers rationalized the land grab and how Sen̓áḵw’s ongoing redevelopment challenges long-held colonial narratives.
Read the full article on The Tyee to learn more about this pivotal moment in Vancouver’s past and its impact today.
Last modified: February 6, 2025
