Ha-Shilth-Sa July 28, 2005

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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. 15 - July 28, 2005 Sales Agreement No. 40047776

Forgiven but not forgotten By Denise August, Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Opitsaht – More than 200 years after fur trading Captain Robert Gray ordered the burning of the abandoned village of Opitsaht and kidnapped a chief’s son; William Twombly, direct descendent of Gray sailed into Clayoquot Sound aboard a replica of the Lady Washington to apologize to Tla-o-qui-aht. Captain Gray and his crew were in Clayoquot Sound in 1791 and 1792 to trade fur with the locals. He spent one winter in Tofino Inlet at Adventure Cove where they built another ship despite their fear of attack from Tla-o-

qui-aht. Before leaving Clayoquot Sound back to America, Captain Gray ordered Opitsaht burned. The story is still talked about amongst TFN after having been passed down through the generations.

More than 200 years after Capt. Robert Gray ordered the burning of Opitsaht, a descendent of his sailed into Clayoquot Sound to apologize to Tla-o-qui-aht. The Lynx and Lady Washington arrived in Tofino July 16th as part of the Tall Ships Festivals that were held in Vancouver, Victoria and Port Alberni.

NHL’s Odjick speaks to Ahousaht youth Odjick thanked the audience and went on to say he achieved his dream of playing in the NHL even though it was Ahousaht –In response to the more than hard to get there and there were plenty of obstacles. “Lots of people laughed 70 recorded suicide attempts in when I told them my dream,” he said, Ahousaht this year, NHL Hockey player but he ploughed ahead and went on to Gino Odjick arrived July 20 to inspire have the last laugh. youth to think positive and work hard Reminiscing about what it was like to toward their dreams. Organized through leave the familiarity of home and his Vina Robinson and the Ahousaht people, Odjick said he would walk all Holistic Center, the event filled the Tthe way from the Pacific Coliseum in Bird Hall with youth and the young-at Vancouver down to the Hastings and heart. Introduced by Chief Councillor Main Street area where he could find Keith Atleo, Odjick was met with a First Nations people and his comfort standing ovation by his adoring fans. zone. One of his teammates noticed that Odjick always walked with his head lowered. It was friends like Pavel Bure, said Odjick that told him nobody on his team is better or worse than him and that he should hold his head high. Wayne “Gino” Odjick, 34, is a full-blooded Algonquin from Maniwaki, Quebec. He was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 1990 and quickly made a name for himself as an enforcer. His NHL debut came against the Chicago Blackhawks November 21, 1990; he wreaked havoc on the ice sending everybody the message that he was there to stay. After fighting three Hawks and winning all three bouts, he was named the game’s first-star and was a regular on the Canuck’s line-up ever since. On Odjick with Sandy Sam & children November 12, 1992 he set a By Denise August, Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter

who lost their husband/father to suicide 3 months earlier

continued on page 11

Smokehouse transformed .................................... Page 2 MP pledges support to Ahousaht ....................... Page 3 Alberni Nations battle Brascan and BC .............. Page 4 Walkers successfully return home ..................... Page 5 New canoe unveiled by Robinsons...................... Page 7 NEDC Business News ........................................... Page 20

Canoes rest on the beach at Opitsaht after welcoming the crew of the Lady Washington, and decendants of Captain Robert Gray ashore. They arrived at the entrance of Tofino Inlet about two hours later than scheduled, near the ancient Tla-o-qui-aht village of Echachis where they were met by cedar canoes bearing the principal Chiefs of TFN. According to TFN Beach Keeper and Chief Councillor Barney Williams, William Twombly delivered a moving speech and apologized to the people of Tla-o-qui-aht for the misdeeds of his ancestor. Williams said the Ha’wiih accepted the apology and invited their guests to Opitsaht by leading the ships to the beach behind their canoes. The crews of the two ships disembarked and waited on the beach as TFN carried out the formalities of the traditional method of welcoming honoured guests. Meanwhile news cameras that were able to get to the beach ahead of the ships milled around, interviewing the Chiefs and Twombly family members. The crowd moved to a temporary stage set up on a playing field to enjoy an evening of singing, dancing and giftgiving. Tla-o-qui-aht Ha’wiih sat in line at the back of the stage in the sweltering

summer sun while their guests enjoyed the shade of tent covered seating area. William Twombly, seated in the front row, could not provide a copy of his apology speech, he said, because it came straight from the heart. He said the ceremony was a powerful one where he and his family were treated with the utmost respect.

The tall ships arrived at the entrance of Tofino Inlet near the ancient Tla-o-qui-aht village of Echachis where they were met by cedar canoes bearing the principal Chiefs of the Tla-o-quiaht First Nation. Tla-o-qui-aht treated their guests to a salmon barbeque dinner and performed the songs and dances of their Chiefs. Several presentations were made to Tlao-qui-aht and the Twombly family including ones by MP James Lunney, and MLA Scott Fraser.

More stories and photos on page 11.

If undeliverable, please return to: Ha-Shilth-Sa P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2

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ISSN 0715-4143


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