Elders revisit their birthplace in Broken Group Islands

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Although many people don't realize it, there are living Tseshaht Elders who were born on the Broken Group Islands. They were once yound children who enjoyed a playground of rocky beaches and lush forests before being sent to residential schools in Port Alberni. On Dec. 1, a handful of them paid a visit to the places they once called home.

Tseshaht Elders Allan Dick, Fred Gus, Reg Gus, Cody Gus, Jim and Jan Gallic, Willard Gallic, Moby Dick, Charlie Watts, Hazel Lindsrom, Anita Schievink, Willie Sam, Bertha Gus and Kathy Robinson, along with Tseshaht staff members and archaeologist and historian Denis St. Claire, took a trip on the Lady Rose to visit a few of the Tseshaht territories, including Nettle Island (Tlee-oo-wa), Keith Island (Qaqmaqimthl) and Effingham Island (Huum-uu-wa), located in Barkley Sound within Pacific Rim National Park.

The trip was special treat for the Elders who had not been to the islands in years and for some even decades. In addition the trip was to conduct ongoing research on Tseshaht history.

"For thousands of years the Tseshaht lived and prospered in the Broken Group creating a rich and accomplished society and culture. Only within the past 50 years has the use of this territory diminished due to modern pressures such as schools, health facilities and jobs," St. Claire said. "The Broken Group Islands are not just a place of natural beauty but they are home. Home to the Tseshaht who lived there...and have a great emotional and historical attachment to the area."

Tseshaht occupancy and resource usage on the islands had been constant until quite recently. Elder Fred Gus and his brothers were born on Effingham Island. Fred's late first wife was born on Benson Island and Kathy Robinson and Jim Gallic were born on Keith Island.

"Certainly the islands were used and live on well within the 20th century, until after the Second World War," St. Claire said.

Tseshaht land use research co-ordinator Patricia Watt was astounded during the trip at the stories and memories that the Elders shared about their childhood on the islands. "They have such a memory," said Watts. "They know exactly where they are, know about the tides and traditional ecological knowledge."

When everyone arrived at Nettle Island, the Elders showed where they once lived and where the houses stood. Fred Gus remembered the big house that stood at Equis and that all of the different families had different fires.

He also talked about the different foods that they gathered within their Broken Group territories, like fur seal, clams and most surprisingly to the group, elephant seals. Another highlight of the trip for many was when Allan Dick pointed out many areas, remembering every island and rock, showing what fish were plentiful and where, and identifying locations for seafood gathering and important events and stories that took place there.

From government agent George Blenkinsop in the 1800s and famous linguist and ethnologist Edward Sapir in the early 1900s to interviews with current Elders and those who have passed on, there is a lot of recorded history consistently documenting Tseshaht's unique culture within the Broken Group Islands.

"When we talk about Tseshaht territory (HaHoulthee) it is important for people to realize that we are not talking about ancient history that is remote and of little relevance to today's world," said St. Claire, "but rather that we are referring to current events."

During their visit the Elders reminisced about all of the important ceremonies that took place on the islands when they were young, and remembered many Tlukwana initiations taking place on Keith Island.

"I would love people to understand that more than 90 per cent of our Elders know and recollect growing up out there," said Tseshaht health, social service and recreation manager Gina Pearson. "All of the fishing areas and fishing weir locations, and remember their Elders from when they grew up"

It was the trip of a lifetime for everyone involved.

"For many of them, it was like reliving their childhood, as they walked on the beach of Nettle Island" said Pearson. It was also a trip that illustrated to the Elders their value in their own community and their important links to Tseshaht history.

Some Elders shed tears reflecting on the trip, happily remembering the Elders who taught them, who they hadn't thought of for quite some time. "The trip brought those Elders back into people's consciousness," said Tseshaht researcher Karen McCoy, "They remembered a lot of things and people who passed on. It's like their spirits aren't forgotten."

All participants agreed they would like to see these trips happen more often, even annually. Many Elders and staff look forward to the opportunity to bring their families and their youth down to familiarize themselves with their beautiful territory in the Broken Group, recognizing the importance of providing youth an opportunity to connect with their territory.

This trip marked the beginning of what participants hope will be many trips to this place of healing for Tseshaht people, for youth and Elders alike. Perhaps, as many of the participants of this trip experienced, it can be a place for learning, where generations can begin to share and understand each other, to better understand their identity.