I have been up here in Vancouver, BC hosted by the First
Nations House of Learning here at the University of British Columbia. This
program of indigenous studies is quite a cultural model for other indigenous
studies programs, and could even be a model for a cultural and arts center for
our tribe. The longhouse is a traditional gathering place for nations in this
area and reflects the architecture of the Northwest Coast. Sty-Wet-Tan Hall is
marked by four stunning totem poles, made to provide a foundation of
understanding for the students, faculty, staff, community members and all who
enter. It is the center. There is a sense of home throughout the center that
houses offices, a library and gathering places for students and community. It
is quite inspiring.
While here I have met with classes at the university, and
with community groups. I will be performing my play and music. I visited with
women’s groups at the Friendship Centre in East Vancouver. The second group was
at a youth center for young women who have dealt with domestic violence and
other difficulties. This was a highlight. We met together at their center, and
then we took a van to North Vancouver to the Squamish Reserve to meet with the
skipper who agreed to take us out on the water together. Wes Baker is his
English name. This was not a usual request. The canoes don’t usually go out in
winter. We went out in a West Coast traditional Salish canoe out to the water
to paddle together. Wes knew the canoe as if it were his own body. He knew the
water also in that manner. I appreciated the protocols that made a ceremony of
entering the canoe, entering the water and moving through the waters together,
and for the return. The canoe culture has revived and grown in the last several
years, with many canoes from many of the nations up here journeying miles
across water. It takes great strength of working together of mind, body and
spirit to paddle a canoe through the waters. And everyone must pull together.
As we traveled he told us many stories of the place, of the waters, and one
anecdote was of a very generous friend who is always the first one to find the
store, or Wal-Mart wherever they go on these paddles. She always brings them
something back. They have honored her with the name: “Shopsalot.” He had a great
sense of humor. I will always remember this day. It was a special one on the
necklace of days.
What has threaded through this time here is the song
“Espoketis Omes Kerreskos”. I hear it and sing it constantly. I have been
studying how our Mvskoke music is a root of jazz, blues and rock. To even state
what has become a very obvious truth rocks the foundation of American music.
Hugh Foley, one of our Oklahoma musicologists showed me how this song marks the
trail of influence. It is a kind of song line that follows the Trail of
Tears. Take a listen to the
Rolling Stones, “The Last Time” and you’ll here one direction the trail led. We
were there at the birth of American music.
This morning I head out into the day. This could be the last
time, we never know. So let’s act with the kind of awareness and treat everyone
with kindness.
Mvto.
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