Urban Healing Gatherings, welcoming both adults and children, are again scheduled on the Island and the mainland thanks to the coordinating efforts of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tiic^@aq+Quu%asa Program.
The cultural based gatherings have become an annual event and are anticipated with enthusiasm by city dwelling Nuu-chah-nulth people.
"We invite Nuu-chah-nulth people living away from home and their families," said Andrea Amos-Stoney, Quu%asa acting coordinator and urban counsellor.
The events are for the whole family, from zero to elders, said Amos-Stoney.
"Everyone can get something from our programs and enjoy themselves. It's cultural-based healing. They are very exciting."
The gatherings start with an opening prayer presented by someone from the local area. There is also a new beginnings welcoming ceremony.
"We have a theme and a name for each gathering tour," said Amos-Stoney. "This year the tour is called Cus^uks^i%ak."
In Nuu-chah-nulth it means "new day". It refers to honoring that every day is new, has new beginnings, new starts, everything is fresh. They are words of encouragement to really embrace today.
Ahousaht elder Ray Samuel will be traveling to Vancouver and Seattle where he will present storytelling, drumming, and singing at the gatherings. Teachings will be weaved into his stories.
Amos-Stoney said there is a huge element of excitement at the gatherings, both for the participants and for the presenters.
"It's very moving. You can't help but feel affected by it," she said. "It's so powerful. It's all cultural based."
The cultural element is the reason the gatherings are so successful. Amos-Stoney said people who live away thirst for their culture because they can't get enough of it on a daily basis. Empowerment topics, health care, and cedar barking will make up part of the day's activities.
Amos -Stoney said the gatherings offer a safe environment so people often share their good feelings and the things that are weighing them down.
"Brushings help them with their cleansing and really helps them along their healing journey. From time to time there are things that might come up for them emotionally, so we do a cultural ceremony for them on the spot."
Sometimes the Quu%asa staff will do a blanketing ceremony or drumming and a prayer song if someone needs emotional healing
No cultural event would be complete without food, games and prizes. So there will be plenty of that too. According to Amos-Stoney this years "hot commodity" will be Quu%asa T-shirts created by Nuu-chah-nulth artist Patrick Amos.
"The T-shirts have our logo. It represents a community, the father whale, the mother, and the baby. It shows a family, our Nuu-chah-nulth family."
For information on an Urban Healing Gathering coming to your community call (250) 724-3939 or toll free 1-888-624-3939. They will start in Vancouver July 14.
