Nuu-chah-nulth people living in Vancouver and Seattle were treated to a turkey dinner and some culture and cheer in early December, kicking off the holiday season.
Staff from some of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s various departments traveled to Vancouver Dec. 4 to serve up turkey dinner with all the trimmings and to deliver program information.
Reg Sam and Michael McCarthy served as emcees, introducing NTC staff and keeping things running smoothly.
The doors of the Maritime Labour Centre in Vancouver opened at 3 p.m. and guests were invited to help themselves to refreshments. Tables were set up so that people could learn more about what NTC departments like Uu-a-thluk, Non-Insured Health Benefits and Quu?asa do.
Ditidaht weaver Geraldine Edgar was there teaching people how to weave small cedar projects like baskets and feathers.
After inviting people to help him sing the Nuu-chah-nulth song, Cliff Atleo Sr. invited people to take a free cd copy of the song.
The people were grateful for the opportunity to get together with their fellow Nuu-chah-nulth-aht.
Ditidaht elder Amelia Robinson thanked the NTC on behalf of the Chester/Thompson/Robinson families of Ditidaht.
“I’ve just moved off of the island and never been to a Nuu-chah-nulth dinner before; thank you NTC for feeding us and Merry Christmas everybody,” Robinson said.
“These dinners bring a sense of family, community, of being closer to home,” said Lillian Howard.
People heard updates from the various NTC departments and they took part in healing activities offered up by the Quu?asa staff.
Some shared songs or prayers and one toddler named Savannah stood in front of the crowd to sing a Christmas Carol.
In Seattle people gathered at El Centro de la Raza. There, they enjoyed dinner prepared by Tseshaht’s Lorraine Williams and family.
The elders there expressed their gratitude for getting Seattle-area Nuu-chah-nulth-aht together.
Burma Morris said she’s from Ahousaht but hasn’t been home for more than 54 years. She pointed to Lorraine Williams, Lillian Olebar and Josephine Charlie, saying they went to residential school together in Canada and all wound up in Seattle at about the same time.
“We are all survivors,” said Morris, adding that the gathering made her feel like she’s at home.
Morris also thanked Joe Tom of Quu?asa for going the extra mile to go to her home to help her with healing. It was something, she said, that made her feel so much better.
A young man stood up to ask everyone to remember the forgotten ones.
“Some of our people are lost because they don’t have anybody to reach out to,” said Brandon Olebar.
Olebar spent 10 years in a Washington State prison for a crime he did not commit. He was eventually exonerated and released.
See our story here: http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2014-01-27/man-free-after-decade-wrongful...
He has resumed his life in Seattle with his wife and newborn daughter.
Mike McCarthy was moved by Olebar’s story and passed on to Olebar a name he was given when he was younger. The name, McCarthy said, means to gather the wealth of the world so you can give it away.
