Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product haas^i>sa “ Interesting News” Vol. 32 - No. 11 - June 2, 2005 Sales Agreement No. 40047776
Defining controversy: Nuu-chah-nulth dictionary causes stir By David Wiwchar Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter
available to Nuu-chah-nulth Nations and schools,” he said. The dictionary is Dr. Stonham’s 12th
A new Nuu-chah-nulth dictionary is causing a controversy, not only because of its content, but also because of how it was released. “A Concise Dictionary of the Nuuchahnulth Language of Vancouver Island” is the product of two decades of work by Dr. John Stonham, who poured over notes of early anthropologists to produce the 547 page book. But even though the Nuu-chah-nulth language is facing extinction, books will only be made available to Nuu-chahnulth people who are willing to pay $177.50 for a copy.
publication on the Nuu-chah-nulth language, yet no one we spoke to has ever seen any of the publications. Ironically, the dictionary is dedicated to “all the Nuuchahnulth people”. Ha-Shilth-Sa had been attempting to interview Dr. Stonham for the past year, but our e-mails and phone calls were refused. We finally contacted him this week after he completed an interview with CBC Radio, even though his assistant told us he would not be available for any further interviews. “If you go to your local bookstore, they should be able to track down a copy for you. I realize it’s expensive but I have no control over this,” said Stonham. “Books are available through Amazon.com. and I only have a handful of copies myself, and I’ll be sending two copies to Kathy Robinson for her and Hahopayuk School,” he said. Stonham teaches linguistics, language and morphology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in England, but denies teaching anything about the Nuuchah-nulth language in any of his four undergraduate linguistics courses. In a press release announcing the release of the book, the publisher claims: “A campaign to save one of the world’s most complex group of languages has
“This is ridiculous. Here’s another academic who has made his money and career on the backs of Nuu-chah-nulth, and gives nothing back in return,” said Larry Baird. “This is ridiculous. Here’s another academic who has made his money and career on the backs of Nuu-chah-nulth, and gives nothing back in return,” said Larry Baird, chairperson of the Nuuchah-nulth Research Ethics Committee. “This is something that should have gone through our ethics group and we would have insisted that copies be made
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Carver Rod Sayers unveiled the newest Hupacasath welcome pole as eagle down floated in the breeze and Ed ‘Tat’ Tatoosh sang a gentle ciquaa blessing the new welcoming figure.
Hupacasath raise female welcome figure By David Wiwchar Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Port Alberni - Eagle down floated in the breeze as Ed ‘Tat’ Tatoosh sang a gentle ciquaa blessing the newest Hupacasath welcome pole. The towering female figure was raised near the larger male figure in a quiet ceremony on Sunday, May 29th in front
Nuu-chah-nulth speakers Nelson Keitlah and Cliff Atleo Sr. point out numerous errors in a language book published in England.
School helps preserve language ........................... Page 2 Tsuxiit gets new guardian program .................... Page 4 Tseshaht launches lawsuit against BC ................ Page 5 Students compete in business competition ........ Page 6 Nuu-chah-nulth boxers battle in Nanaimo ........ Page 8 NEDC Business News ........................................... Page 20
of a few dozen Hupacasath members and passers-by. The female figure called “River Princess” was carved by Rod Sayers and Cecil Dawson,. She stands facing the Somass River estuary where she welcomes those who come to the area by boat, and the millions of spawning salmon returning to the tributaries within the Hupacasath traditional territory. Her male counterpart called “Mountain” was raised last year, and
faces the Johnson Street hill with arms outstretched, welcoming the many people who drive to Port Alberni en route to the west coast.
“It’s another great day for Hupacasath,” said Chief Councilor Judy Sayers. “This is the start of a tourism destination that will teach visitors about us, and about the people of the west coast,” she said. “It’s another great day for Hupacasath,” said Chief Councilor Judy Sayers. “This is the start of a tourism destination that will teach visitors about us, and about the people of the west coast,” she said. The Tsu-maas Transformation Society, who organized the carving of the poles
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