The students of Kyuquot Elementary Secondary School (KESS) hosted a five-hour potlatch that would serve to not only help them learn about potlatch ceremonies, but also teach the guests about Nuu-chah-nulth culture.
The potlatch took place the afternoon of May 29 and guests were invited from neighbour communities.
Also in attendance were 17 high school seniors and their five chaperones visiting from Hamilton, Ont. According to KESS teacher Lelaina Jules, because of the high cost of transportation in the region, the local school district no longer provides funding for such cultural events, but the school managed to pull it together for the benefit of their Catholic school visitors.
KESS students, with the help of teaching staff, planned and executed the entire event, including meals, gifts, singing and dancing.
See photos here: http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/northern-region-schools-annual-potlatch
Kyuquot, also named Houpsitas, is an isolated community of about 200 people. It is about three hours from the closest major city, Campbell River, and requires both vehicle and boat transportation to get there.
The nearest other school is Zeballos Elementary/Secondary School. The students and staff from ZESS were invited to the potlatch and were kind enough to allow the use of their school ceremonial curtain for the event.
Other guests included RCMP officers, Kyuquot/Cheklesaht members visiting home and guests from Esperanza.
Helping to prepare for and take part in the potlatch were the visiting students and chaperones from Ontario.
Jenn Hanson organized the event with assistance from many people including her mother, Daisy Hanson, along with Janice John, Lelaina Jules and others.
Adam Worley, linguist, acted as emcee, explaining in the Nuu-chah-nulth language what was to happen, then providing the English translation.
Daisy Hanson welcomed everyone on behalf of the school then taught the kids about the concept of ta’ilthma, which is recognizing those guests that have recently suffered a loss in their family and giving them a little something to show love and support.
From there the children took over as hosts when Hailey John welcomed the visitors to the territory and the school. She was followed by Jane John-Smith, who also welcomed the people and asked the parents to hold on to their children so that there would be no interruptions during the presentations.
As the KESS boys prepared to perform, a young speaker from their school explained in the Nuu-chah-nulth language that the song they were about to sing was about cedar and it is owned by Waketom, Peter Hanson. The youngster’s speech was translated into English for the benefit of non-fluent guests, as were all speeches that afternoon.
The boys sang strong as the young ladies danced out from behind the curtain wearing matching shawls and skirts designed with the same pattern that were on the backs of the boys’ vests.
They performed the cedar dance followed by a paddle dance, before they opened the floor for their guests.
The students and teachers of ZESS made a grand entrance filing in from the back of the gym to line up in front of the curtain. They too wore matching regalia.
They told their hosts they were there to honor the invitation and would perform some dances and they came bearing gifts for the hosts to give away.
Speaking on behalf of the ZESS students, Greg Charleson thanked the Ha’wiih and the people of Kyuquot for the invitation. “We are honoured to be here in your presence and we thank the parents, teachers and community for all the effort you’ve put into teaching your children,” Charleson said. “When you feed their cultural spirit they flourish,” he added.
The ZESS students performed a pair of fun dances as the singers were led by Charleson. He explained that it was important to him to always explain where the songs come from. One song, he said, was gifted to the students for use at their school functions from neighbors in Alert Bay. The other was a prayer song Charleson composed for his son.
Charleson said he began sharing the song with the school after he used it to celebrate his grandson’s life. The young boy, he said, was nearly lost in a drowning accident.
ZESS, Charleson pointed out, has children from both Nuchatlaht and Ehattesaht and he was happy to share his song with them.
The final ZESS song was a ‘happy’ song; one that allows everyone to open up and let the negative go. Charleson talked about the fun he had with the students as they added elements to the song, like making funny facial expressions and sounds as they performed.
When they were done they handed over handmade pillows, iPod cases and much more. All of the gifts were made at the school with plenty of love, it was explained.
Dennis John and family presented a gift to the school lunch program, saying they would have performed but would wait until after their memorial potlatch, when their mourning period is over.
And he praised those that teach the children. “Hands up to ladies like Daisy Hanson for teaching our young ones because they are our future singers and dancers,” said John.
Janice John also expressed her gratitude to the teachers. “To see my granddaughter dance really makes me proud; she was so excited for this day because she turned six today and it’s her biggest birthday party ever!”
The crowd made the little girl’s day even better when they all started singing Happy Birthday to her.
The youngest Kyuquot children attending Houpsitas Kindergarten also came bearing gifts that they made and presented to the older students.
KESS students wrapped up the afternoon by performing some fun songs and thanking their guests with gifts. Daisy Hanson told the crowd that the children went out to local beaches to collect shells and driftwood in order to craft handmade gifts for the potlatch. They proudly handed out their treasures to the crowd.
The afternoon potlatch concluded with dinner.
