Furry fun since 1993
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER5th 2010
www.ufvcascade.ca
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Natural Harvest New lngred·ent 7
I STUDENT UNION SOCIETY
SUS By - Election pg. 4
Photo by Justin Orlewicz
AboriginalAccess Network Builds Bridgewith UFV AthleticsDepartment AARON LEVY history of Sasq'ets, and to witness
CONTRIBUTORthe story telling and dedication of this spiritual creature whose It was a brave thing when UFV colonial appropriation lies Cascades baskelball forwards between conspiracy and myth. Samantha Kura th and KyleGrewal One by one, UflVpersonnelsuch walked a lap around the main as English department head John gym at the Envision Athletics Carroll, women's basketball coach Center this past Saturday. Al Tuchscherer, Vice President of They followed in the back of a Students Karen Evans, women's procession led by UFV Athletics' basketball star Tessa Klassen, and newest recruit, one who First athletics department head Rick Nations Elders and members of Nickelchok, among others, as the Aboriginal Access Network, well as First Nations dignitaries, S'olh Shxwleli dedicated to the presented one another with Cascades with what all hoped ceremonial coins, representing would be a "tasteful" and the passing of the knowledge respectful ceremony. and memory of what was taking That recruit is Sasq'ets, place; accepting responsibility the given name to that who to remember, remind, and re-tell European/Canadians have taken over and over again the story of to calling the sasquatch, and it is Sasq'ets, and the significance of UFV Athletics first ever official UFV accepting it as their mascot. mascot. Sasq'ets' territory, it is said, Kurath and Grewal acted lies between Oregon and the as ceremonial captains for the Okanogan, and is the origin to the men and women's Cascades, modern tales of the sasquatch. and they walked slowly around In an hour and a half ceremony the baselines, hands lifted at 45 that pushed back the Cascades degrees, shaking softly, the hum and Manitoba Bison doubleheader of chanting and rhythmic clang action by about 30 minutes, Chief of beads and dresses shaking Willie Charlie acted as MC, calling throughout the gym. upon different First Nations and A slew of UFVand First Nations UFV brass to share their stories dignitaries were on hand, both of Sasq'ets history. The stories to provide background for the of their people, gratitude from
UFV for being entrusted with this honor and challenge, as well as a theme song, dedicated to the Cascades, beaten out on drums, and sung in upbeat, bellowing three part harmony were the centerpieces of this unique event. The challenge lies in properly respecting and accepting the gift of Sasq'ets. Representatives of S'olh Shxwleli want Sasq'ets to be a tribute to the history of the Salish and First Nations people, not a caricature of it, the way the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, and Kansas City Chiefs depict aboriginal stereotypes. Therein lies the bravery shown by Kurath, Grewal, and UPV Athletics in general. This is a tall task to accomplish, and nary but a few have done it across North America thus far. lhe sensitivity with which the issue must be treated, and the interchangeability of personnel between roles and even institutions, ensures that organizational memory will hardly be enough to pass on the reminders and background necessary to proliferate the importance of what happened on Saturday. But by stepping up and accepting the task, both Grewal
and Kurath, Athletics and UFV, specifically President Mark Evered, who made an impassioned speech to the audience at the ceremony- they arc each taking on a responsibility that has daunted New World North Americans since they showed up hundreds of years ago. Acknowledging and appreciating the land and legacy that we are living in, on and off of. There will be no shortage of criticism as the future rears its expectant head, and that's a burden that all involved at UFV have accepted in endeavoring to address this offer from the Aboriginal Access Network. Kurath and Grewal, both injured currently, can look to Sasq'ets for strength, as the shape shifting protector, and friend to nature and its inhabitants, prepares to add UFV and its Athletics Clubs to its host of allies. It's an intriguing and somewhat surprising step that S'olh Shxwleli has taken in initiating this partnership, but it's one that can prove to make strong headway in Aboriginal-Colonial relations, and it's a step that UFV is positively courageous for moving forward with. The ball is in your court, UFV; let's trust it won't get dropped.