Longhouse beams lowered into place

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The beautiful ciqaa (prayer chant) sung by Jessie Stephens and Linda Watts floated above the noise of machinery and construction as the two main roof beams of the Tseshaht longhouse were lowered into place.

Weighing 10 tonnes each, the two 70-foot long fir poles were placed on top of the cedar support beams during a community celebration on Sept. 13.

The two beams, which came from Nahmint in Ucluelet First Nation's territory, originally weighed more than 20 tonnes each, but were carved down to their final size and shape by a dedicated group of Tseshaht workers.

As the beams were lowered into place, students from Haahuupayuk school sang and danced the sea serpent and victory dances, before presentations were made to the many people involved in the building's construction.

"It's beautiful to see this great structure in front of us today," said Tseshaht councillor Dave Watts. "We are very proud, and we want to say thank you to all of those involved."

Presentations were made to the team of Tseshaht people who carved the poles and support beams, and continue to mill the planking for the new longhouse from the beams of the former Tseshaht longhouse.

"We worked tirelessly 23 years ago to put up the longhouse," said Tseshaht councillor Gail Gus. "The people who worked on that longhouse are here today, either in body or in spirit."

Complection of the longhouse is projected for the end of the year, at a total cost of $420,000. Tseshat Nation received $100,000 for the project from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council through a one-time community development grant program. BC2000 grant program contributed $50,000. The balance of funding came from two job grants totaling more than $100,000 for the carving of the logs and milling of the planking. The logs were donated by M&B/Weyerhaeuser.

"Today's experience was one of gratitude and empowerment," said Jessie Stephens. "The celebration is not just about the logs. It's about a people. It's about bringing our culture back to life."

Before the luncheon of sockeye salmon was served outside Maht Mahs, the crew from Les Sam Construction was thanked, as were other contractors involved.

"I feel honored that we have the opportunity to work on this," said Les Sam. "The logs are so beautiful, and this is a fantastic project all around."

Also honored were Sterling Watts, Water Collins and Brad Piatka who painted the mural on the side of Maht Mahs entitled "A Place where First Nation's Pull Together." The three artists where presented with embroidered photo albums chronicling the stages of the mural as it advanced towards completion.

"I can feel all the ancestors here," said Jessie Stephens. "I can feel all the old people. They're nodding their heads and saying 'this is good.'"