The late Nuu-chah-nulth Ha’wilth Glee-soom-eth Kelly John was recognized for his contribution to Indigenous Studies at North Island College.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the college awarded the first Kelly John Memorial Bursary to an aboriginal student enrolled in the Human Services Diploma program.
Following a short ceremony and video presentation honoring a number of community bursary donors, John’s daughter, Janis John Smith, unveiled the new NIC Memory Wall.
“Culture was a big part of his life. That was what he brought to NIC and the students,” Smith said. “My dad always had the time to teach someone.”
Paul Kelly John, who passed away in 2013, was a hereditary chief of both Kyuquot/Checklesaht and Ehattesaht/Chinehkint Nations, and later served as an elected chief.
According to a profile provided by his family, John survived nine years in the Christie Indian Residential School and overcame personal challenges, including addictions, to become both an elected chief and a substance abuse counsellor, as well as a leading cultural scholar and teacher.
NIC Human Services instructor Mary Pat Thompson, said John first came to introduce Nuu-chah-nulth culture into the NIC classroom, and eventually became a major cultural resource as the college sought to develop its Indigenous Studies program.
“It was 12 years ago that he first came to our classroom. At that time, there was so little that was understood about residential schools,” Thompson said. “He was able to awaken a lot of understanding and compassion on the part of the students. He would sit with them and talk with them freely. He was so generous with his time.”
John also introduced the students to Nuu-chah-nulth spiritual practices and ceremonies.
“What he gave was the gift of culture,” Thompson said. “He brought so much, and I am so glad we will have this little bit of him to continue into the future.
“The college is really trying to work more closely with Indigenous communities, and to make a place for them here.”
To open the unveiling ceremony, Ahousaht elder Moy Sutherland first thanked Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations, in whose traditional territory the Port Alberni campus is located, then introduced family members, including John’s son, She-wi Eaglefeather.
She-wi said he is proud of his father’s contributions to culture and his generosity with his time.
“There was no stopping my Dad. He was always on the road, travelling,” he said, “no matter how many times we told him, ‘Take a breather, Dad.’”
John’s son-in-law, Kwiimaatsiikh John Thomas Smith, noted that Kelly John overcame considerable bureaucracy to give She-wi a traditional (“not English”) name as his permanent legal identity.
Smith said his father-in-law was a major influence on him. “Especially on the cultural part,” he said, “The songs, the dances…”
“It is always a joy to teach culture,” Sutherland said in his introduction. He noted that at one time, Port Alberni was a hotbed for racism directed at First Nations, and he is encouraged at the steps NIC (and Alberni District Secondary School) has taken to bring Indigenous people into the community as full partners.
“The song I am singing is a prayer song that comes from my dad, and it offers power, strength and comfort,” said Sutherland.
Following the song, Janis John unveiled three framed profiles, with Kelly John’s taking the centre position. The woven cedar frame is one of two created by Jan Green. The other was presented to the family.
Bursary recipient Michelle Wood was on hand to thank the John family, adding that she felt she already knew them.
“Mary Pat was my instructor during my Human Services course, so I feel like I know the family, because she speaks of them so often.”
The Kelly John Memorial Bursary will be awarded annually to an Aboriginal student enrolled in the Educational Assistant/Community Support or Indigenous Focus Certificate program at North Island College.
