17 william whitenov1

The Great Thunderbirds have
taken flight, Change is Coming,
Songs will be sung!:
Traditions, Culture and Article 30
of the Convention on the Rights
of the Child
Coast Salish Youth waiting to enter the
Stadium for the Opening Ceremonies
Commonwealth Games 1994. They are
wearing headgear last worn 80 years ago.
According to the late Steve Sampson Sr.
Stziminus they were meant to protect and
to surround during change and or
transformation. They wait for traditional
longhouse singers to begin singing a
Welcome Song. His talk reflects on the
importance of letting go of those things
which do not belong.
W. White Photograph

Ministry of Children Coast Salish
William A. White, and Families
(Nanaimo/Cowichan)
Elders Advisory Council

As we begin this work today we acknowledge
the Sulalewh - Elders, Parents, Ancestors of
our Coast Salish Hosts.

This is important bearing in mind Chief
Seattles’ 1855 speech in which he said “..there
is no death, only a change of worlds…”

as well as the red hat female ancestor who
showed herself at the UBC longhouse. She
sang a song which introduced herself to the
people of that longhouse. To help with
‘knowing and believing’ she made herself
visible.”

We also honour brothers, sisters, relatives,
significant others who passed before us.
We do so because it is their songs, their
ceremonies, their prayers, their teachings,
which have covered the land
Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis's
'The North American Indian': the Photographic mages, 2001.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

There is also a difference between the way ‘traditional work’ is begun and the
way in which modern secular work happens. Western influence of ‘issues.”

For example, it is likely that traditionally trained elders/specialists always
opened meetings with versions of a prayer/prayer song immediately followed
by ‘good words/advice’. The Old People believed ‘words’ have power.

In this way good relations with all living things are set in place and remind us
of the importance of treating each other well. It is also deemed to protect.

Swylana Park Harbour dedication, Nanaimo
BC. c 1970's.
Anderson Tommy, Departure Bay was told by
his old people ,”These songs will echo long
after we are gone.” He almost cried when he
recalled their ‘words,’
Left to right, Katherine George, Eva
Thomas, Margaret James, Emily Manson,
Anderson Tommy.. With deep respect and
thanks to the Sulalewhw for their teachings.)
W.White Photo

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

There is more cultural diversity in
BC than in any other part of North
America. One of the commonalities
is the relationship with the land. For
example. In 1855 Chief Seattle
referred to the importance of land.

“Every part of this country is sacred
to my people. Every hillside, every
valley, every plain and grove has
been hallowed by some fond
memory or some sad experience of
my tribe.

Even the rocks which seem to be
dumb as they swelter in the sun
Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis's along the silent seashore in solemn
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html grandeur thrill with memories of
past events connected with the lives
of my people.”

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

Even with issues associated with
systemic discrimination - throughout
this vast province Elders and
Traditional leaders continue to hold
Ceremonies, Songs, Teachings,
Values associated with ‘Belonging’
‘Being Strong’, ‘Helping Others’ and
‘Healing.’

Today, these concepts are protected
through article 30 of the United
Nations Convention on the

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/
curthome.html
Rights of the Child (Canada, 1992)

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

Article 30
In those states in which ethnic,
religious, or linguistic minorities or
persons of indigenous origin exist, a
child belonging to such a minority or
who is indigenous shall not be denied
the right, in community with other
members of his or her own group, to
enjoy his or her own culture, to
profess and practice his or her own
religion, to use his or her own
language.

also see article 3.1 "Best interests of the Child“
and article 4 "administrative actions to protect
economic, social and cultural rights..."
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/
curthome.html

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

For the purposes of this gathering several
fundamental concepts have been presented.
Posed as questions these are:

1.  What teachings, values,
traditions are Indigenous to the
territory?

2.  What concepts about the land
help strengthen families and
communities and reinforce ‘being
in balance’?

3.  Who are the specialists,
historians/Elders who understand
these very important historical
concepts?

4.  How are your programs being
innovative and collaborative for
these classic concepts?
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

•  Within each of our territories there is the value associated with good listening
skills, the ability to listen is also a reflection of humility.

•  In a culture with an emphasis on repetition this ensures the passage of
teachings from one generation to the next.
•  It is important therefore to ask what values are constantly reinforced by
traditional leaders?
•  These are the concepts studied before we began work interviewing Cowichan
Elders ,W. White, A. Cienski, for the HIV/AIDS program called Kwam Kwum
Sulitst/Strong Spirit.

Q'Puthet Unwinus (Centre for Coming
Together/Nanaimo, BC) Elders 'actively'
listening to a welcome song for school
Children in the 1970's. William White Photo)

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

Left to right front row: Emily Manson,
Hazel Good, Eva Thomas, Anderson
Tommy, Katherine George/Elders Co-
Ordinator, Barbara White. 1970’s
Back row: Derreck George, Roy Aleck.
(William White Photo)

Elders by virtue of their training and background are the direct links to
the ancestors, particularly as they relate to strengthening values
associated with ‘helping others/collaboration’, ‘maintaining balance
and harmony’, ‘becoming stronger’ and if we are lucky they will also
be familiar with the Indigenous language associated with these
concepts.

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

•  It is important to ask yourselves what happens when
elders pray/give advice? Teachings and practices about
15 – 20 generations old.
•  The Sioux called that place of power where contact is
made with the Creator, where Ancestors connect as the
‘Sacred Cosmos.”
•  For years I observed watching elders/Sulalewh getting
ready to pray, to speak, to sing as they moved towards
that sacred space. With consistency they became
stronger.
•  In doing so, for years and years prior with each day ‘let
go of those things which did not belong (sadness, pain,
anger etc.) in order not to spread those energies. More
importantly not to harm themselves when moving onto
the ‘place of power’.

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

•  The Coast Salish region have been identified by the Anthropologist
Barbara Lane and Art Historian Norman Feder as the most
conservative on the coast. This in terms of keeping our traditions
alive.
•  That conservative nature has meant Elders do not normally speak
about Sexual matters (ie use of condoms, abstinance, ejaculate
etc.)
•  It is for these reasons that our
Project, Kwam Kwam Sulitst
focuses on Values/Sinyews.
•  The great fear and sadness
associated with HIV, in stark
contrast to the energies of
prayers/songs/advice is the
reason our approaches are
based on Sinyews. (Snuneymuxw Tribal Dancers/boys performing dance
associated with a Prayer Song. W. White Photo)

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

•  Early 1900’s Cowichan Potlatch at which young people undergoing change were
provided with headgear which protected them during a change in their lives. This is
the photo shown to the late S. Sampson Sr. In 1994. He immediately named them!
•  Women who wove the Nobility Blankets called Swuqwulh, piled on the stand and
worn by the young woman drew on the energies of both men and women. They took
a month to weave, in which time she remained celibate.
•  This has major implications for preparing the young who identify as the ‘sexual
other.’ Identification of being ‘gay’ is a post contact phenomena.

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

•  Our relatives who associate with being the sexual other (lgbt) today identified
in a generic way as ‘two-spirited’ if working with traditional and or spiritual
concepts have to reinforce spiritual training from both males and females in
order to become stronger. It is also essential to continue working at ‘becoming
in balance’ and ‘shedding those things which do not belong.”

•  At recent gathering of Coast Salish Chiefs, Nov. 21-23, 2007 Philomena
Alphonse/Cowichan said "this is where we come from, this is what we know"

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

The old people/Sulalewh before teaching anything new advised young people
to “…let go of those things which do not belong…” and they looked to see if
that happened. If so new teachings would come.

•  Not long ago, after working with a Siowa/Seer and a number of elders in
preparation for a trip to South Africa to meet traditional specialists I took a walk
around Uvic (1993 -2006 Aboriginal Liaison Officer) to quietly pray, to talk and to
beg the Creator and the Ancestors to answer 2 of at least 4 -6 questions
(abstinence, Ancestors and travel, …death/plane). These were:

•  With great humility I said, “Dear Ones, Great Creator, you know I have not come
across anyone like me…I have not met any other Gay Spiritual people. Does this
mean that I should not be doing these things? Does this mean that I am merely
forcing myself onto that plane of power. If that is the case, please let me know
and I will stop immediately and I will do so without any questions and or
negotiation. “
•  I also asked if I should stop working with xwulanitum/white people (historical
oppression)? If so I would immediately stop with no questions and or negotiation.
•  On that trip, and our first meeting with an Iglexia (State sanctioned healer) as soon
as we sat in his family hut surrounded by two wives. I immediately knew he also
slept with men. Later we met his student, also sanctioned by the state, in
Capetown who was a white South African who spoke the language and dressed in
the formal attire identifying himself as an Iglexia.

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

“and the Ancestors, with help from the Creator to ensure the person is no longer troubled
with any number of issues. At least 6 -8 would line up, watching, listening to that
persons’ heart, soul, mind…As he approached they would gather energies
associated with his own pain suffering…wrap that in their hands and throw it – to
see if he was still weak from those darknesses. Otherwise they would return the
next day. To test again.

1.  Especially associated with ceremony and preparation for seasonal
events is the importance of learning how to ‘share.’

2.  Lessons learned from last week, last month, the past, are taken
into account before moving along to talk about the future
Enjoyment of life, humour, teasing are fundamental to becoming
strong. In the sixties we always saw the old people teasing each
other and laughing.

Within each area are also essential teachings associated with
‘forgiveness’ and the great physical/spiritual dangers associated
with carrying these sentiments far beyond its’ time.

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

•  Of learning from traditional leaders Mr. Greg Sam/Aboriginal
Relations Co-Ordinator, Royal Roads University said: "..it also
takes practice and listening over and over again to really
understand and feel with the support of those who
'know'. Nov. 29, 2007 (Personal Communication)
•  Rarely if ever did they begin a prayer which made
reference to issues (Racism, Indian Residential School,
Poverty, HIV/AIDS etc.). They may have spoken about
challenges as they moved along but they applied their
own fundamental teachings associated with ‘Preparing
Places of Safety.’ This is associated with the term
‘lalumathut / be careful.

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

The Great Thunderbirds have taken flight
Change is Coming, Songs will be sung!:
Traditions, Culture and Article 30 of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child

Headpieces created for the first time in 80 years, by Steve Sampson Sr/Chemainus and Grace Horn/Saanich
meant to protect and surround young people. Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremonies, 1994
William A. White Photograph

(Nanaimo/Cowichan)

17 william whitenov1

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