The SḴŦAḴ / Mayne Island Truth and Reconciliation Circle Society, known as MITARCS, is a community-based nonprofit society working to advance reconciliation on SḴŦAḴ / Mayne Island. The Society was incorporated on February 14, 2026.
Our Place and Relationships
MITARCS is based on the unceded traditional territories of Straits Salish peoples, on the island called SḴŦAḴ in SENĆOŦEN and later called Mayne in English.
The presence of Tsartlip Reserve No. 6 (Helen Point) gives our island community a particular relationship with W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), one of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations. We extend our gratitude to W̱SÁNEĆ people and to other Straits Salish Nations with longstanding relationships with this island.
Our Mission
Our mission is to advance reconciliation on SḴŦAḴ / Mayne Island by fostering arts, heritage and education projects and partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
We work to:
- Support arts, heritage, education, festivals, exhibitions and gatherings that raise awareness, foster respect and encourage systemic change.
- Serve as an inclusive and welcoming community reconciliation hub that brings people together, bridges cultures and supports reconciliation in everyday life.
- Acknowledge historical injustices and help address the continuing effects of colonial erasure on Indigenous cultures.
Carrying the Work Forward
Reconciliation work on Mayne Island began long before MITARCS was incorporated. It has been led and supported by W̱SÁNEĆ Elders, Knowledge Holders, artists and families, working with local organizations and residents. We recognize and credit those contributions rather than presenting them as MITARCS work.
For 16 years, the Campbell Bay Music Festival Society, now operating as Old Hat Arts Society, supported arts and cultural programming on Mayne Island. Old Hat Arts has passed the legacy of its annual Salish art exhibitions and Indigenous arts workshops to MITARCS. See our Reconciliation Work page for a historical summary of reconciliation efforts to date.
Our responsibility is to carry this work forward respectfully, through continuing relationships, shared learning and practical community action. If this is also something you also take to heart, join us in whatever capacity suits you.
Our Board
- Jennifer Iredale, President of the Society
- Suzanne Dinelle, Vice-President
- Bill Jamieson, Treasurer
- Jean-Daniel Cusin, Secretary
- Shawna Farmer, Director
- Deb Foote, Director
- Jody Waldie, Director