Family continues proud canoe carving tradition

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Surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tseshaht Elder Alan Dick's face beamed with overwhelming pride as his family's canoe was launched into the Somass River.

"This is the greatest day of my life," Alan beamed as 16 men lifted the canoe past 20 singing and dancing women. "I'm 81 years old, and to be here with my all my children on this special day is just incredible," he said.

Alan, along with his son Wayne, have spent the past three months carving the canoe, passing on knowledge and stories with every adze stroke.

"I'm so proud of our son Wayne who had a dream to do this and today it's done," said Alan. "It's good to experience what our ancestors have done and experience that for ourselves," he said.

"There's been such a change over the years from when we used to go everywhere by canoe," said Alan as he spoke of his childhood travelling with his family to villages by canoe. "Today, I drive a Dodge Dakota."

The canoe carving was a community effort as numerous people came to Alan's house to learn, and to help carve the 36-foot ocean-going canoe.

"The little children came over from the daycare, and I carved a bunch of little paddles for them," said Alan. "In my spirit I'm hoping all these things will be good for our Tseshaht people," he said.

After Ed Tatoosh and Morris Sutherland blessed the canoe, Wayne Dick thanked the crowd of almost 100 people for coming to witness the launch.

"I've learned a lot over the past three months," said Wayne as three flocks of geese flew overhead in close succession, seemingly inviting the canoe to follow them downstream towards the ocean.

After the canoe was launched, people spoke about the beauty of the Dick family's accomplishment.

"We're so happy that we have someone like Alan who has taught his son Wayne about canoe building, and I'm sure Wayne will in turn pass his knowledge on to the next generations as well," said Tseshaht Chief Councillor Dave Watts.

"We salute Wayne, Alan, and the Dick family, and especially Agnes, who is the woman behind them," said Darleen Watts, before Dan Powell from the ministry of forests, Wayne French from Weyerhaeuser, Tseshaht's Lisa Robinson, and Alberni MLA Gillian Trumper added their messages of congratulations.

The canoe, named after Alan and Agnes Dick, is adorned with a wolf head atop the bow.

"My father belongs to the wolf clan, so that figure is very important to us," said Wayne. "Also, there are a few pieces of wood in the canoe that came from the old residential school, so it's finally being used for something good," he said as the crowd clapped in agreement.

"We should come together for happy times more often," said Alan.

"I enjoyed helping our son in living his dream," he added. "I enjoyed teaching him about the things I've learned and the things I've seen. I'm a very proud father."