s-yéwen s-néxwílh spirit within the 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 design, 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 (spirit within the canoe), given to the canoe in 2009 by shíshálh Nation elders.
s-yéwens s-néxwílh on the shore of Skaha Lake
Click on the link to see an example of the community development work done in partnership with local ocean going canoes.
?ayatawlh: Taking Care of Each Other, Taking Care of Ourselves
Click here to see a video about the canoe culture on the Sunshine Coast
Click here to learn more about Indigenous canoe culture through the Museum of Anthropology
The Aboriginal Program's canoe, a 31 foot Northern Dancer design, 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 (spirit within the canoe), given to the canoe in 2009 by shíshálh Nation elders.
s-yéwens s-néxwílh on the shore of Skaha Lake
Click on the link to see an example of the community development work done in partnership with local ocean going canoes.
?ayatawlh: Taking Care of Each Other, Taking Care of Ourselves
Click here to see a video about the canoe culture on the Sunshine Coast
Click here to learn more about Indigenous canoe culture through the Museum of Anthropology
Click here to see a short video featuring all of the canoes that traveled together on the canoe's first journey in the Okanagan in 2009, including our sister canoes from the Sunshine Coast, s-yewens ihems sila the Spirit of Our Grandmothers, s-yewens te k´wunut´ the Dolphin Spirit, and Skookum Kalitan Strong Arrow.
Follow the Sunshine Coast canoe families on their
“Awakening the Spirit" Pulling Together Canoe Journey 2013
Click Here for more information
Follow us on Twitter @allnationscoast
Check out our blog http://scpullingtogether2013.blogspot.ca/2013/07/follow-us-on-journey-of-lifetime.html
Check out our blog http://scpullingtogether2013.blogspot.ca/2013/07/follow-us-on-journey-of-lifetime.html
Pulling Together 2012
We had a very successful journey in Kla ah men and shíshálh (ayl’-khain) territories! Our hands go up in gratitude to our wonderful hosts, the Sliammon First Nation! We were treated so well for 8 days - and we learned so much about the territory and traditions!
July 2 - 10th, 2012 s-yéwens s-néxwílh, spirit canoe, joined the 2012 Pulling Together journey in the beautiful coastal territory of the Sliammon First Nation as part of the Sunshine Coast canoe family. We traveled with new friends in the two Sliammon First Nation canoes, along with our relatives in our sister canoes, s-yéwens ihems sila the Spirit of Our Grandmothers, s-yéwens te k´wunut´ the Dolphin Spirit . We also traveled beside beloved canoes filled with dear friends and relatives: Collingwood (X2), UNYA, Fisheries and Oceans, Vancouver Police Department, Abbotsford Police Department, Soul Entry, Pulling Together Society, Qualicum, Semiahmoo/Tsawwassen and Katzie First Nations.
We express our sincere thanks to the people of Sliammon for their generosity and hospitality over the 8 days. We thank especially Chief Clint Williams, elder John Louie, elder Elsie Paul, Melvin Mitchell, Betty Wilson, Drew and Eric Blainey, and many more! Hands go up to special guest elder Saahiilthit (Gerry) Oleman who reminded us we have a voice. We also thank the chef and cooks and countless volunteers from Powell River and the Sunshine
A stop for lunch on Savory Island Coast - who worked tirelessly to keep us energized with gourmet meals!
Our gratitude, too, to shíshálh Nation Council member Keith Julius for welcoming us to shíshálh terrotory and to elder Xwu’ p’a’ lich Barbara Higgins and Muswiya, Robert Higgins for their shíshálh cultural support. First Nations, youth, employees/trustees of School District No. 46, folks in public service, RCMP, and community members all pulled hard and shared their hearts and minds and hands. Our understanding of the canoe - and each other - is becoming deeper.
Thank-you to Chiaxten (Wes Nahanee) for your patience and teachings - and of course the songs. Chet kwíenm·ntumi. We send you wénaxws.
Thank-you to RCMP Constable Dave Dixon and to John Bayzand for trailering the Sunshine Coast canoes. Thank-you to Kathleen Dufour for arranging the cube van and bus, and driving the cube van. Thank-you to skippers Ed Hill, Josh Romer, John Bayzand, Jim McFarland, and Robert Higgins Thank-you to the adult pullers who supported the youth through their company and mentorship. Thank-you to the many donors who contributed funds and in-kind - without your support, the journey would not have been possible. Thank-you to the School District for supporting the journey in many ways.
To see some videos and photos of the journey, click here and click here.
To read Christine Younghusband's blog, click here.
To see a short film about Pulling Together, click here.
We express our sincere thanks to the people of Sliammon for their generosity and hospitality over the 8 days. We thank especially Chief Clint Williams, elder John Louie, elder Elsie Paul, Melvin Mitchell, Betty Wilson, Drew and Eric Blainey, and many more! Hands go up to special guest elder Saahiilthit (Gerry) Oleman who reminded us we have a voice. We also thank the chef and cooks and countless volunteers from Powell River and the Sunshine
A stop for lunch on Savory Island Coast - who worked tirelessly to keep us energized with gourmet meals!
Our gratitude, too, to shíshálh Nation Council member Keith Julius for welcoming us to shíshálh terrotory and to elder Xwu’ p’a’ lich Barbara Higgins and Muswiya, Robert Higgins for their shíshálh cultural support. First Nations, youth, employees/trustees of School District No. 46, folks in public service, RCMP, and community members all pulled hard and shared their hearts and minds and hands. Our understanding of the canoe - and each other - is becoming deeper.
Thank-you to Chiaxten (Wes Nahanee) for your patience and teachings - and of course the songs. Chet kwíenm·ntumi. We send you wénaxws.
Thank-you to RCMP Constable Dave Dixon and to John Bayzand for trailering the Sunshine Coast canoes. Thank-you to Kathleen Dufour for arranging the cube van and bus, and driving the cube van. Thank-you to skippers Ed Hill, Josh Romer, John Bayzand, Jim McFarland, and Robert Higgins Thank-you to the adult pullers who supported the youth through their company and mentorship. Thank-you to the many donors who contributed funds and in-kind - without your support, the journey would not have been possible. Thank-you to the School District for supporting the journey in many ways.
To see some videos and photos of the journey, click here and click here.
To read Christine Younghusband's blog, click here.
To see a short film about Pulling Together, click here.
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