Dozens of Nuu-chah-nulth families took part in in the Urban Healing Gathering held at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church April 21.
Sponsored by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Teechuktl Program, the gathering provided an opportunity for Nuu-chah-nulth-aht in the Nanaimo area to share a meal, hear updates from NTC and have some cultural fun.
The doors opened at 2 p.m. and people were invited to have some snacks and mingle. Tables were set up for children to color, or for people to learn how to weave cedar bark from Ditidaht elder Geraldine Tom. There was also a table set up for people needing Indian Status Cards or for information about Non-Insured Health Benefits.
Elder Cliff Atleo Sr. said an opening prayer, thanking the Creator for the day, for life and for the opportunity for the people to get together.
Snuneymuxw Chief John Wesley welcomed the people to his territory. He praised Nuu-chah-nulth people for the work they are doing to keep the culture and language alive.
“In most territories, we are losing these things,” he pointed out.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of those recently lost in Nuu-chah-nulth communities. The Nuu-chah-nulth Song was sung before each of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council staff introduced themselves.
The goal of the Nuu-chah-nulth Urban Healing Gatherings is to get the people together in one place to hear what the tribal council is doing on behalf of the people and also to share the culture.
NTC President Deb Foxcroft said it was an opportunity for everyone to share a meal and to have a few laughs.
Joe Tom, senior Quu?asa wellness worker, reminded the people that their naniiqsu (grandparents) were also survivors.
“They survived all that was done to them to destroy their culture,” he said. And the proof shows in the people here, today, still practising their culture.
He went on to say that his department at the NTC, the Teechuktl and Quu?asa program, provide assistance for those healing from residential school trauma and its legacy.
“We walk with you (on your healing journey); that’s what we do,” he said.
Lisa Watts, wellness worker for the southern region, told the people that she and her staff work with residential school survivors, helping them access the resources they need to get through the Indian residential school compensation process and providing updated information on day school litigation.
The NTC staff then served up a spaghetti/lasagna dinner.
Outreach wellness worker Justin Dorward delighted the children with a story his late grandmother told him about a little Raven who loved to help but didn’t listen very well.
Staff from the NTC Teechuktl Department have been on the road all week, hosting gatherings in urban centers on Vancouver Island. It is part of what they do to support the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations achieve their full spiritual, mental, emotional and physical potential.
