s-yéwen s-néxwílh spirit canoe
Through SD46 Aboriginal Programs and Services, students and staff are proud to participate in the "big canoe" culture that exists on the Sunshine Coast and in First Nations communities in British Columbia. Partners supporting the School District in canoe activities for youth include Pulling Together, the Gibsons Paddle Club, and the Spirits of Our Grandmothers (s-yewens ihems sila) Canoe Club.
The Aboriginal Program's canoe, a 31 foot Northern Dancer, has an interesting story. Found sitting derelict in an auction yard, the canoe was recovered, brushed with cedar and fir branches in the traditional way, repaired, and rededicated to being used to support youth in their learning and personal growth. We thank the elders and families who supported us.
The canoe is honoured to carry the name s-yéwens s-néxwílh, spirit canoe, given to the canoe in 2009 by the shíshálh Nation elders.
s-yéwens s-néxwílh
on the shore of Skaha Lake
Click on the play button below to see a 30 second video celebrating the canoe's first Pulling Together journey
down the lengths of Okanagan and Skaha Lakes in 2009, guests of the generous syilx Okanagan First Nations.
The Aboriginal Program's canoe, a 31 foot Northern Dancer, has an interesting story. Found sitting derelict in an auction yard, the canoe was recovered, brushed with cedar and fir branches in the traditional way, repaired, and rededicated to being used to support youth in their learning and personal growth. We thank the elders and families who supported us.
The canoe is honoured to carry the name s-yéwens s-néxwílh, spirit canoe, given to the canoe in 2009 by the shíshálh Nation elders.
s-yéwens s-néxwílh
on the shore of Skaha Lake
Click on the play button below to see a 30 second video celebrating the canoe's first Pulling Together journey
down the lengths of Okanagan and Skaha Lakes in 2009, guests of the generous syilx Okanagan First Nations.
Click here to see a short video featuring all of the canoes that traveled together in the Okanagan in 2009, including our sister canoes from the Sunshine Coast, s-yewens ihems sila the Spirit of Our Grandmothers and s-yewens te k´wunut´ the Dolphin Spirit
We are preparing for our next journey!
s-yéwens s-néxwílh, spirit canoe, will join the 2011 Pulling Together journey on the rugged and beautiful West Coast of Vancouver Island as part of the Sunshine Coast canoe family. We will travel with our sister canoes,
s-yéwens ihems sila the Spirit of Our Grandmothers, s-yéwens te
k´wunut´ the Dolphin Spirit and the shíshálh canoe .
Youth, teachers, community members and the skips will be out in Porpoise Bay practicing on Saturday and Sunday beginning in March. Look for us in Porpoise Bay or in the Gibsons Harbour area.
Our arms are getting stronger and our understanding of the canoe is becoming deeper.
To see a short film about Pulling Together, click here.
s-yéwens ihems sila the Spirit of Our Grandmothers, s-yéwens te
k´wunut´ the Dolphin Spirit and the shíshálh canoe .
Youth, teachers, community members and the skips will be out in Porpoise Bay practicing on Saturday and Sunday beginning in March. Look for us in Porpoise Bay or in the Gibsons Harbour area.
Our arms are getting stronger and our understanding of the canoe is becoming deeper.
To see a short film about Pulling Together, click here.
