Community
Healing and
Ce le br ation
Feast (Continued from Page 1)
wonderful medicine, the teachings that I’ve learned.” Meals included yu’sa, elk, oolichans, crab, salmon, clam fritters, and many other delicacies. Chief Bill Robertson from Kingcome shared these words: “I’d just like to say thank you... To come breathe the same air, to dance together, dance to the same tune, with our own ancestors with us. I told my son over here to look around, we are one family.” Gary spoke about the importance of our culture, saying “That’s something the government can’t take from us, they can’t take our heritage, our culture, our spirit, the spirit of our language, our singing, our dancing.” He also announced that, through the Trust culture program, some upcoming projects will include refurbishing the community canoe, fixing up the totem poles by the Tsulquate bridge so they face the water, and organizing trips to the homelands for community members this summer. In the background of the feast, Aftab Erfan, UBC student, worked on a mural illustrating the four principles of parenting discussed at community parenting sessions she helped organize earlier this year and last. It was hoped that the mural project would draw some curious community members to ask questions and maybe even paint a bit. Many kids ended up “helping” with the pro-
Many people made speeches throughout the day about the importance of our culture, telling stories of our ancestors and home lands, and sharing visions of hope for our future. Gary Walkus said “The love we have among the Gwa’sala and ’Nakwaxda’xw is truly amazing. I sit up here and witness the spirit, not only here at our log, but the spirit out there, the spirit in our kitchen, the love that goes into our food, the food that came from our homelands, our oceans, our forests, our beaches. All the ject, keep an eye out for updates on this from Aftab. It was a wonderful day, that brought together many community members to share in the healing and celebration. As Chief Paddy Walkus said, let’s keep pushing for a Big House, and maybe the next time we have an event like this it will be in our own gukwdzi! It is always amazing to see our people come together and share the culture and the love. Gila’kasla
Jessie Hemphill Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations Yo! News -05/03/2012 Page 10