What’s in a Name?

Our project carries a name in two languages to reflect the strong desire between the K’omoks First Nation and Dawn to Dawn to work together to fill the need to create a safe, secure and culturally appropriate house for indigenous and non-indigenous queer youth in the Comox Valley.

In conjunction with our partners at Comox Valley Pride Society, we have chosen to use the ‘Rainbow’ motif associated with the queer community as the symbol for our project. Our logo incorporates the D2D logo, the Rainbow and specially designed form line art from Karver Everson, a Puntledge and Kwakwakaʼwakw artist from the K’omoks First Nation.

For Dawn to Dawn, the project name had to recognize and honour the traditional and unceded territories of the Puntledge, E’iksen and K’omoks peoples where this house will sit. The name of the house will also reflect the young people who will live there. Gukwas sa Wagalus directly translates to House of the Rainbow. Gukwas sa Wagalus is an indigenous phrase that comes from the Wakashan language Kwak’wala and is spoken in 15 First Nations in B.C. Kwakwakaʼwakw means “those who speak Kwak’wala.”

Mary Everson saying the Gukwas sa Wagalus name.

The language is spoken on northern Vancouver Island, nearby islands, and along the adjacent area of the mainland. Our project – Gukwas sa Wagalus / Rainbow House encompasses diversity, inclusion, and respect for all.

Welcome to Gukwas sa Wagalus / Rainbow House!