The national gathering of residential school survivors was launched in a culturally-appropriate fashion today, with dozens of canoes paddling up False Creek seeking permission to land in the territory of host nations Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-waututh.
The host nations invited First Nations people from all corners of the province, as well as neighbours from the east and south.
The event was open to all cultures in an effort to promote inclusion, acceptance and multiculturalism. First nations in their dugout canoes paddled from Vanier Park starting at 9 a.m.; they were accompanied by their non-native supporters.
The paddlers arrived at Science World and approached the hosts in flotillas of six or more canoes. A wireless microphone was passed from speaker to speaker in each canoe. They told who they are, where they came from and they thanked the hosts for welcoming them.
The hosts stood together in a dignitary tent overlooking False Creek. They included chiefs from each of the Coast Salish host nations, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo, Dr. Evan Adams, Chief Robert Joseph and more. See more photos at the end of this report.
The entire waterway was filled with onlookers, including former residential school students, supporters and tourists.
For the non-natives, it was a rare opportunity to witness a traditional welcoming ceremony involving canoes.
Aboard the Namgis canoe was William Wasden. He thanked the hosts for welcoming the people and said he would sing a healing song.
“This is in memory of those that didn’t make it out of the residential schools and to those that are still struggling,” he said.
Wasden said he would join the Walk for Unity on Sunday carrying a photograph of his late aunt Dodo, who struggled a lifetime with the painful memories of what she endured at a residential school.
One woman stood in her canoe and talked about winning a fisheries case last spring.
“We want them to know we are alive and well and will continue to fight to protect Mother Earth,” she said.
A young woman in another canoe took the microphone and told the people her name was Angela Johnny. She never went to residential school but she said she was ‘doing this’ for her mother, and her maternal grandmother.
“My mom grew up never getting hugged; there was no affection for those that went to residential school,” she explained.
“This is important to me because I never met my grandma and I want her to know that my mom hugs me every day and tells me she loves me,” Johnny told the crowd.
A woman from Sechelt told the people that she went to residential school in the 1970s.
“I didn’t have it as bad as mother did in the 40’s and she didn’t have it as bad as her mother did in the 20’s.
“They said they would beat the Indian out of the child,” said another. “No longer do we have to live under the horrible history of Canada’s colonization and oppression!”
A man from Homalco said his people built a church and a school in their community in an effort to keep their kids home.
“But they took them anyway; we lost a whole generation to TB. None of those kids that left that year came home,” he said.
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Cliff Atleo Sr. was aboard the Huu-ay-aht canoe. He explained that he comes from the House of A-in-chut; there was a rumble of applause and cheers as some in the audience recognized the Ha’wilth name of Chief Shawn Atleo.
Atleo Sr. said he was there representing Nuu-chah-nulth-aht. He said his people are grateful to the hosts for being so welcoming to everyone.
“We are after healing and we are proud to be survivors!” he said.
“We have much to offer the world, British Columbia and Canada if only they would open their ears,” he went on.
To the governments he said, “Seize this opportunity (to take what First Nations have to offer) because hishukish tsawalk, we all come from one and together we can make that path to healing.”
Atleo offered up sockeye salmon to the hosts; a gift from Nuu-chah-nulth-aht.
