A candlelight ceremony, hosted by Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation at First Street Dock in Tofino on Nov. 1, brought together supporters, survivors, rescuers and the family of the one missing passenger of Leviathan II, 27-year-old Ravisham Pillay, to provide some closure and to say a prayer for those who did not survive.
Moses Martin, Tla-o-qui-aht Nation councillor, said they were gathering at almost the same hour that the boats of Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht “were scrambling” to reach the site of the capsized whale watching tour boat one week ago on Oct. 25.
The Leviathan is believed to have been hit by a rogue wave off Cleland Island, roughly halfway between Tofino and Ahousaht, sending 27 passengers and crew into big seas. Twenty-one survived due to the two fishermen, Clarence Smith and Ken Brown, who saw the single flare, the only distress signal the Leviathan passengers were able to send, and the quick response from other Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht people.
Martin talked about the principle teachings of the Nuu-chah-nulth-aht, the first peoples of the territory on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
The first key principle is Hishuk ish Tsawalk. Everything is one; everyone is connected, which he said was
“clearly demonstrated this past week in our ability to work together.” The second principle is Iisaak (respect). He said his own mother and father would always talk about the law of respect.
He acknowledged the Mayor of Tofino, Josie Osborne, and the people of the Coast Guard Station, the men and women of the RCMP, “our doctors, our nurses, our medics, our firemen… “you have our respect… those of us that live on the water, travel on the water, work on the water, we know that you are there and we thank you for your dedication…”
Ahousaht elected Chief Greg Louie acknowledged Judy and Mike, the parents of Ravisham Pillay, saying Ahousaht was with them in this difficult time for support. They were “brushed” in a ceremony on the dock, as were other survivors, led by traditional healer Dave Frank.
“In all this there was a coordinated effort,” said Louie. “We all came together… to help families that are hurting and grieving. And I only wish and pray that we can continue to do this from here on. I know there will be some challenges, but, you know, we can work together.”
Louie said there would be work to do regarding communications “amongst ourselves and the agencies” and “we’ll work through that too. We will.”
“We are guardians of the coast. We will do our best and our utmost to take care of everybody.”
Louie also spoke of support to Jamie Bray, owner of Jamie’s Whaling Station, and the owner of the Leviathan II.
“Ahousaht is here. We stand with you… We are here to support you Jamie…. We are here to offer our support,” he said, calling him forward from behind a crowd of people and shaking his hand.
“This is good work that we are all doing, coming together, he said on behalf of Tyee Maquinna Lewis George.
Nora Martin spoke for Moses as he was preparing to sing a prayer song. She said it has really been difficult for our communities.
“Everybody’s been affected.” In Nuu-chah-nulth teachings things are done culturally “to help our spirit so that we can begin the healing, so we can all move forward. That’s why we are doing this, so we can come together and begin the healing.”
Moses sang a prayer song “to our mother” asking her to be “close to our hearts”, praying that she will “give you the strength to deal with the pain that you have in your hearts”, praying that “the ones that we lost, their journey is safe and smooth on their way home.”
He asked that everyone join hands “so that you can pass on your strength and love to the people that are in need.”
After the song, Ahousaht introduced the rescuers in attendance and those gathered applauded their efforts, and the survivors surrounded them, shook their hands and hugged them.
Then those gathered lit candles and left them, along with flowers and cedar boughs, on the side of the dock, near a memorial to the young man whose body has yet to be found.
