Coast Mountain News Thursday, July 18, 2013
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Bella Coola welcomes new Constable
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Vol. 29 | No. 15 Thursday, July 18, 2013
Serving the Bella Coola Valley and the Chilcotin
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Serving the Bella Coola Valley and the Chilcotin
CoastMountainNews.com
Simon Schopman photo
William Housty addresses the crowd at the celebration in Shearwater on July 6
History, heritage, and honour – a Remembrance Day like no other SIMON SCHOPMAN On Saturday July 6, 40 Bella Coolan’s, ranging from small children to seniors, gathered at the wharf at 7am to take the Clowhom Spirit to nearby Shearwater. On a beautiful sunny morning, Dall’s porpoises playing in our wake, and eagles overhead, we shared in the camaraderie of being “The Bella Coola Contingent” for the unveiling of the Warrior Pole carved by Heiltsuk Carver/Artist, Nusi Yakuudlas ‘Ian’ Reid, the new Cenotaph, the Replica Stranraer Flying Boat weathervane, built by the Canadian
Museum of Flight in Langley, and the “Bella Bella – United in History” mural by acclaimed artist Paul Ygartua. We arrived at the dock to the smell of salmon smoking by a huge fire pit, tended by the famed artist himself Nusi Yakuudlas Reid. “Locals, aside from just First Nations, locals period, died to protect us. The Warrior pole is dedicated to all the descendents, as much as it is to all those who served. It is an honour to pay homage to all of our ancestors who fought and died for what we have today.” Hereditary Chiefs from the Heiltsuk Nation opened the
ceremonies with a traditional dance and blessing, while the Heiltsuk Youth provided the drumming and chanting. The stunning Warrior Pole, with a proud Raven at its crest, was blessed with Eagle Down and imbued with the spirit of friendship and pride through a traditional Paddle Song. The 125ft x 22ft mural, when unveiled, received a similar blessing of Eagle Down, although on a much larger scale, and any descendents of those whose portraits were unveiled had time to speak at the podium about their ancestors’ accomplishments, and to share the stories of
those who influenced the development of the Denny Island area. With almost four months to go until Remembrance Day, the bugle sounded “The Last Post,” the colours were lowered and raised, the poppies; as bright red as the maple leaf behind them, were pinned to the fluttering flag draped over the soon to be unveiled cenotaph, and a welcome summer breeze cooled the crowd of over 200. “Being here today means a lot to me, the significance of what all the vets did over the years, who fought and what they gave up for our country,” said Ron Richards,
President of Bella Coola Legion Branch #262. “This area has a lot of military history, and today brings that history back into focus.” Twelve First Nations Veterans had been identified, and researched. Craig Widsten, President of Shearwater Resort and Marina, read the names of the Native War Veterans of the Central Coast after the unveiling and dedication of the Warrior Pole. David Bernard (Wuikinuxv), Tom Brown (Kitasoo), George Brown (Kitasoo), William Cooper SEE CEREMONY ON PAGE 5