Canoeing tradition is central to Shuswap way of life

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"This has been a personal journey to bring back some of our traditional cultural activities. Our people have used resources from the land to make tools to provide for their families. It is still to be understood through our Indian stories about how we are to utilize our natural resources."

With those words, Upper Nicola Indian Band Chief George Saddleman celebrated the completion of a three-year journey, one in which he rediscovered the traditions of his ancestors while finding how much they can apply to life today.

Saddleman was speaking during a celebration April 17 marking the completion of a hand-crafted dugout canoe, constructed from a single cottonwood tree cut from behind his home, which overlooks the lake where decades ago similar canoes rode the waves. At that spot, a place where the Elders gathered to purify themselves in years past, the first traditionally constructed canoe was returned to the waters of Nicola Lake.

In front of 100 people young and old, the majority representing the bands of the Nicola Valley, he explained that the project was a way of remembering the old stories and reminding the younger generations of the way their ancestors lived and learned.

"I tried to do all my work through the oral history-through people telling a story-and I want to remember and pass along the oral stories," Saddleman told the crowd. "We must share our traditions, our cultures and our values."

Saddleman started his quest three years ago when he saw a dugout canoe in the Shuswap Museum in Kamloops. His mother told him her grandfather had built similar canoes when she was growing up at Spahomin, and Saddleman decided to pursue the challenge of learning to construct one of his own, while also reflecting three principles that could bring the people together-balance, patience and respect.

"We've had trouble between the traditional people and those with the higher education. We need to get a balance. This was part of my quest, to make sure we can work together and protect our people."

He said patience came as he learned to find time in his busy schedule to work on the project over the years, and also found that it was important to listen and understand when pursuing a goal. Respect was perhaps the most important aspect, he noted.

"I definitely found out the value of respect-I talked to many people with knowledge about building canoes, and greatly respect them," he related.

After researching traditional canoe-making methods from around the province, Saddleman started carving last March 15, and in just over a year completed the craft. He was helped by many people, including Dixon Terbasket and Ken Michel, who joined him in the canoe for its first voyage.

The launching ceremony got everyone involved, as those who attended offered tobacco to the lake following a prayer. Hand drummers sang as Saddleman and Michel pushed the canoe out into the lake, then took it for its first voyage to cheers from the crowd. The return to shore was marked by the playing of a warrior song and more cheers.

Saddleman said he hopes his actions will bring some traditions back to life among the peoples of the Nicola Valley and elsewhere.

Chiefs from up and down the Nicola Valley praised Saddleman for his efforts.

"This is a good time to witness an occasion like this-a chief put here by the Creator to put this canoe into the water and show the power he has been granted," Lower Nicola Indian Band Chief Art Dick stated. "This has always been called holy water . . . it has been many years since canoes sat on this water."

"My relations, my friends-the man's work is great" exclaimed Nicola Tribal Association Grand Chief Gordon Antoine. "The old-timers, when they tell us about these type of boats, they would trade these things for horses, it was a great trade item for the communities, to fish our lakes, and to fish the Thompson. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to say to George 'Great work!' Thank you for showing us the way."

Terbasketreminded those present that the people must start looking back to the land to find their future.

"This land is aching for you," he said. "You need to walk on the beaches, and spend time with the Elders and our leaders in the mountains. We need to go back to the land. This is the first awakening-this is a way of telling you to go back to the Elders and practice your own ways."