s-yewens ihems sila  

Spirit of Our Grandmothers Canoe Club

Our canoe club has the purpose of:
“Pulling together our teachings, stories and experiences.  Pushing away our differences.  Working towards one mind … one family”



Xwu’ p’a’ lich   Barbara Higgins,
Founding Matriarch

---

Our vision is to see youth of all walks of life paddling Northern Dancer and other traditional canoes, as well as learning cultural activities such as food gathering and preparation, singing, and drumming.

• •inclusive - people from all cultural backgrounds are invited and people with differing abilities are invited;  
• •healthy – all activities will be drug and alcohol free, and the participants will be encouraged to examine all aspects of life, including nutrition, physical activity, personal growth, social interaction and connection with the environment in a respectful, healthy way;
• •self directing – the youth and the elders/mentors will identify and plan together the activities, including all fund raising and preparation work necessary to bring about the activities;
• •Salishan in nature – experiences and cultural exchange will not be exclusive to, but will build on elements of, Coast Salish culture including the teachings of the canoe, camping, singing, drumming, food gathering, crafting, and learning about water and the land  (natural history) with the assistance of mentors and elders.

---

Our club acknowledges the gifts and generous support of the Ashworth Family.  Labels supplied by Associated Labels.
Our club acknowledges the generous support of Lester A. Picker, photojournalist.
Our club acknowledges the generous support of the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society.
Our club acknowledges the generous support of the  Gibsons Paddle Club members.


If you would like to offer support to the s-yewens ihems sila  Spirit of Our Grandmothers Canoe Club, 
please contact Kerry Mahlman cmahlman@sd46.bc.ca