Ceremonial seating of chief celebrated by community

Page 4

On a scorching summer Saturday, friends and family of Edgar Charlie gathered at the Thunderbird Hall to witness his seating as the head chief of Kelthsmaht. Kelthsmaht traditional territory is on Vargas Island, in view of Tofino. It is one of the several nations that amalgamated to form modern-day Ahousaht.

The heir to the Kelthsmaht head chief's seat has been the subject of dispute amid the Ahousaht and neighbouring communities for decades. Traditionally the seat would go to the eldest son of the chief; however, the direct heir unexpectedly died and no one was named as successor. With no direct male heir to take the seat, cousins stepped forward to fulfill the role, creating controversy over how such issues should be settled.

After several years and meetings it was finally decided earlier this year that the matter would be placed in the hands of the Elders. Elders selected Edgar Charlie as Kelthsmaht chief with instructions to immediately host a feast to take his seat.

On June 27 the first of the guests began to arrive in Ahousaht. The Makah paddled traditional dugout canoes from their home in Neah Bay, Wash. to honour Charlie's invitation.

Charlie and his family served lunch the next day and welcomed their guests. Though attendance was relatively low, there were chiefs on hand to witness the occasion.

Charlie invited the chiefs and other people of influence to sit in front and facing a curtain in preparation for a sacred ceremony. Seated directly in front of the curtain and facing the guests were Ahousaht chiefs Corbett George, Billy Keitlah and James Swan. Louie Joseph explained the ceremony people were about to witness was the highest form of law in their culture. "Once done," he said, "it becomes unchangeable."

A singer chanted as dancers prepared the floor with eagle down. Charlie (Hanuquii) was seated among the chiefs in front of the curtain to the sound of mournful wolf whistling.

Louie Frank Senior congratulated Charlie, saying he now must accept the responsibilities that a chief has for his people. The chiefs received an offering from Hanuquii for witnessing the event and the rest of the evening was filled with celebratory singing and dancing.

Holden David, a young man with connections to the McCarthy family in Ucluelet, was introduced to the gathering by Chief George. David came to the feast to ask that he be given a name. George called forward witnesses and named the young man Naasii-sits, meaning "from God". Speaking on behalf of George, Hudson Webster said George and his family would treasure Naasii-sits and instructed him to come to Ahousaht from time to time to learn the songs.

The Makah joined in the singing and dancing starting with a paddle song. As the dance ended, each dancer laid their beautifully carved cedar paddles at Charlie's feet. Les Green of Neah Bay said Charlie wanted paddles so his people were there to honour his request.

Makah whaler Theron Parker made a special presentation to the people of Ahousaht. Parker and his brother composed and performed a song that they said is for the Ahousaht people to use. They invited the people to a memorial feast at Neah Bay on August 16.

Later in the evening, Charlie introduced his former wife, Genevieve, children and grandchildren.

He provided an explanation for what was on his curtain, saying it took seven years and several people to create the curtain. Charlie said the Kelthsmahts have no rivers so the curtain displays a strong ocean and whaling theme. A rainbow represents spirituality and the Creator. A thunderbird dominates the centre of the curtain. A canoe carrying seven men represents the sub-chiefs of the Kelthsmaht Nation.

"This curtain," said Charlie, "is my identification, and if you're Kelthsmaht, then it's your ID too."

Charlie's former brother-in-law, the late Art Thompson, made this curtain. Charlie asked for a moment of silence to pay respect to Thompson, who recently passed away.

The Campbell and Keitlah families ounded out the evening with songs and dances in support of Charlie.