Eagle song.

c̓ixʷatin ~ "Eagle Song"

Nuučanuł is a small group of First Nations on the West Coast of Vancouver Island B.C. Canada, I am 39 years old and grew up very traditionally living off the land knowing my environment quite well. I learned how close Eagles are connected to Salmon in 1983.

My story begins I was 11 years of age and had spent much of my time in the community of yuułuʔiłʔatḥ "Ucluelet" a small coastal community in the country of Nuučanuł on this very hot summer day my grandfather, father and I were traveling to our home community of ʔanaqƛa "Pachena Bay" Home of the world famous Pachena Bay Campground and the West Coast Trail. En route we stopped at the Sarita River there is a bend in the river that our people call łicnit it runs right adjacent to the road a nice place to stop when traveling for hours on a dusty road with an 11 year old.

To my surprise and the excitement was very clear in my father he grew up in the near by Sarita Village and knew that logging practices in the 1950's affected our salmon runs, so much so the Eagles were no where to be found. Nature has a way, the homing beacon to these returning salmon was strong and after years of drought for our dietary staple finally the Salmon returned.

How did he know this, the eagles told him as we pulled up to łicnit we discover Eagles, Eagles every where It was a sight to see. They were on the shore, perched in the trees and circling in the sky above. My father was so excited and he told me that day the salmon have returned it was truly a good sign for a fisherman to see so many eagles river side. I t meant there was a run of salmon entering our river, we were all in awe seeing soo many eagles so up close and they were just going about their feasting not to be bothered us three.

Immediately my fathers inspiration begun he was in the process of creating his very first song, Again i was in awe I thought that our songs were passed on or given this was my first experience of witnessing first hand a song being born. He sang and he sang and he talked about all the eagles.

1. ḥayu qumƛ qu c̓ixʷatin "Many Eagles"
2. ḥayu qumƛ quus mataas c̓ixʷatin "Many eagles perched in the tree"
3. ḥayu qumƛ quus čitkʷaa c̓ixʷatin "Many eagles circling in the sky"

Is what this song sings about Our songs are inherent and I now proudly hold this song for our family it is a sign of wealth to share a song they are cherished and before this song was passed down to me my father shared it with some people and I honor his decision and I too share this with them.

• Ray Sim an Artist whom designed the "shawls" the ladies wear in this dance
• Circle of Eagles Lodge, A half way house that bridges convicted felons back into society a organization my Aunt Marjorie White was instrumental in founding.
• Ken Sam, Whom is a close friend of my father and he was shared this song when he discovered sobriety
• Sarah Dennis my step mom I love her so my dad honored her with this song on their wedding day she means so much to him she has a version uniquely her own

This is our song and I proudly sing this song along side my father he is my hero, my teacher and my role model in all good things i have in my life I Love you Dad

P.S there is another song that accompanies this as we often pair our song into a set of dances, that my friends is another song and another story, A story i will tell soon !! čuuč

Yac̓pa način "Lets Walk Together": Canada Day!

Yac̓pa način "Lets Walk Together": Canada Day!: "The name Canada comes from a St. Lawrence Iroquoian word, Kanata, meaning 'village' or 'settlement'. Home on Native Land. ;) I AM CANADIAN, 201..."

Canada Day!

The name Canada comes from a St. Lawrence Iroquoian word, Kanata, meaning "village" or "settlement". Home of the BRAVE ;) I AM CANADIAN, 2011 We the Maa-nulth established Certainty in our ḥawiiḥ ḥaaḥaaḥuułi (Chiefs Territories) to honor our past, provide for today and ensure for our children's future! (Facebook status) is what got me thinking of the relationship between First Nations and Canada   

Canadian Flag, 2011 Majority Conservative Government: PM Stephen Harper  

Now This may be something different, I know and like the song, hence the coining the term "Our home and native land". I grew up in a different era, On my grandfathers truck we had a huge flag and it was always upside down. As a child i often wondered Why Upside down? as i grew and begun to piece together the difficulties of the relationship between First Nations and The Government of Canada.  here is a little history on why those relationships were not so great: 

•  1722 British Privy Council memorandum sets out doctrines of Discovery and Conquest!
• 1763 Royal proclamation of King George III recognizes Aboriginal Rights and Title!
• Small pox, Influenza & Measles ravaged our peoples through ought the Country!
• 1846 Oregon Treaty establishes Canada-US Boarder, Where do we fit in this?
• 1857 Residential Schools made its first of many appearances in Canadian law! *1 see PM Satement
• 1884 Potlatch Ban made it illegal to engage, even assist or bear witness in our culture!
• 1951 The Potlatch Ban lifted in hopes sustaining the customs and culture of the ancestors!
• 1960 scoop: The stolen generation, children apprehended from their families!
• 1994 In my local area Nuu-chah-nulth made a declaration, this solemn declaration ignited the Modern Treaty Process 
• 2001 Agreement in principal with the parties Nuu-chah-nulth, B.C. & Canada
• 2003 Ratification process 6 yay 6 nay, the nay has the larger portion of the populous 
• 2003 Maa-nulth is born and a chance to finish what we started; *2 see six stages of treaty
• Vancouver 2010, Showcases a truly Multi-Cultural Country *3 see 2010 winter-Olympics 
• 04-01-2011 Maa-nulth Effective Date of our Historic Treaty!
• 07-01-2011 Canada Day! I AM CANADIAN 

*1 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2008/06/11/pm-statement.html

 *2 http://www.bctreaty.net/files/sixstages.php

*3 http://www.olympic.org/vancouver-2010-winter-olympics

I come from a home where my nananiqsu "grandparents" promoted ḥaaḥuupa "Traditional teachings" and in my house we spoke nuučanuł told our himwic̓a "Stories" and my favorite nunuuk and ḥuyaał "sang and danced" in my home there was no oppression or victimization they taught what they as teachers thought was right to teach. For that i am truly grateful it was not just them it was their parents as well, whom i might add did not speak a lick of English but ironicallyr  they were called nanny and poppa hahahah.. Add to that there were also just people in general for the environment my grandmother Molly Haipee my sole surviving grandparent and teacher to this day, the environment she created was full of great joy, willingness to Learn and Teach. 

I remember standing on a beach and my Grandfather said to me: The sacred Trinity of Time “for everything there is a past, present & future. This beach were standing on that grain of sand was once much, much more perhaps a Boulder or even a mountain.” We as people and nature are always in a state of evolution. if you do not learn you do not grow grandson, what did i learn from that I learnt that the only thing i have power to change is now and tomorrow. 

How do i want to be remembered? I want to be thought of as strong, idealistic and truly knowing my complete identity I was taught to know my nananiqsu "grandparents" for they represent what i loosely call elements 4 grandparents 4 elements of qu?as "People" 1. Mind 2. body 3. spirit 4. emotions, finding balance in 4 is difficult we often forget our spiritual and emotional well being. For every milestone we Potlatch nourish our bodies with food and activity, nourish our minds through learning and teaching, nourish our spirit through song and Love, nourish our emotions through social interaction and expression of how we feel.    

We have a sad, sad past full of betrayal, hurts, grief and shame I cannot deny that I accept that and I move forward 100% Canadian the only thing i can change is ME i accept the sad past for what it is past wrong doings, we are Canadian in a Multi-Cultural Country where people all over the world wish they had it as bad as us, we don't have it so bad. I sit here on my computer hooked up to an internet from a home built on a solid foundation that is lit and has power, food is in my fridge and freezer. I am happy I AM CANADIAN i also have the memories of Vancouver 2010 that event was the foundation of my pride, I also have Maa-nulth Treaty i have been vaccinated, I speak my Language the Potlatch Ban is Lifted, I have a National Chief A-in-chut Shawn Atleo whom represents First Nations People the the world wide Political landscape for that I am proud, Shawn was there when Our PM Stephen Harper made the Apology regarding Indian Residential Schools. I forgive you Canadians for I know it was not you whom wronged my peoples in the past, but together We can make it right.   lets learn together share in the beauty of our cultures and acknowledge we are in the best country in the world. For our own sake and the sake of our children! yac̓pa način "Lets walk together"   

Maa-nulth Final Agreement!

National Chief Shawn Atleo: A-in-chut

Host Nations Vancouver 2010

Opening Ceremonies Vancouver 2010

   

Yac̓pa način "Lets Walk Together": kimƛkimƛa ~ "Victory Song"

Yac̓pa način "Lets Walk Together": kimƛkimƛa ~ "Victory Song": "In 1976 Cecil Mack T̓ayii ḥawił of The Toqʷatḥ Nation Gave this Song to the ḥawiiḥ, čačamate and musčim 'Chiefs, Dignitaries and People' If..."

kimƛkimƛa ~ "Victory Song"

In 1976 Cecil Mack T̓ayii ḥawił of The Toqʷatḥ Nation Gave this Song to the ḥawiiḥ, čačamate and musčim "Chiefs, Dignitaries and People" If you are First Nations of B.C. and have settled what was called "The Land Question" through Treaty This is Our Song, A victory song sing it loud sing it proud! Songs are the most cherished of gifts to us Nuučanuł Peoples let it not be forgotten.

I Wish-key was there in Kamloops B.C 1976 when this song was given i remember en route Dad Driving, Grandpa Dave In the front Cecil and Jessie sitting in back with me and he (Cecil) was trying to Teach me the Nuučanuł word: muusmuus "Cow" I said that's not a muusmuus grandpa it is a cow, i was often teased of that growing up, I now cherish those memories. I was blessed to have Grand Chief Cecil Mack as one of my teachers in Life. My grandfather Dave Haipee and Cecil Mack  were half brothers I remember him well and i now have Grand Chief tiic̓qiisap Bert Mack and t̓ayiiʔas wiisac̓quum Anne Mack as teachers now the family line is strong we Maanułʔatḥ (Maa-nulth Peoples) can proudly sing this song for we have settled the land Question!


Honorable mentions Douglas treaty peoples, Nisga, Tsawwasen, Maa-nulth and Yale treaty groups this is our song ƛeekoo. ƛeekoo Cecil, The Mack Family and People of Toqʷatḥ for this beautiful song. 

A new Journey!

 

 Hello my name is Wišqii Robert Dennis Jr, I am a very proud Huu-ay-aht And Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.  This blog is going to be presented in three sections: (1) the importance of knowing where we come from (past); (2) knowing where we are now (present); and (3) where we are going to be (future). I begin this by telling you who I am and who my parents are. 

My father is Robert Jack Dennis from the House of C̓̓aʔʔʔakʷatḥ "House by the River" and my mother is Maureen Betty Haipee from the House Hipiiʔataqumłʔatḥ "House of the Sea Serpent Buzzing About", in Yułuʔiłʔatḥ.  I am Huu-ay-aht and Ucluelet.

A wise young man, let’s call him J.J. once said, and I loved this: "We are defined by our grandparents."  Truer words have never been spoken.  My teachers in life are my grandparents and they taught that I am represented by my parents, in my hands.  My hands and parents are the same, equal but opposite, as everyone comes to this world equally from one man and one woman. The fingers on each of my hands represent the nananiqsu "Grandparents". Where do I come from?

These are my hands:

Telford Dennis & Sarah Coots*, Jack Peters & Nina Jack, Willie Haipee & Cecilia Tutube, Wallace Touchie & Sarah Joe

my great grand parents

 

Simon Dennis & Alice Peters,  Dave Haipee & Molly Touchie

my grandparents

Robert Dennis Sr & Maureen Haipee

 my parents

Robert Dennis Jr

me

*All the women I have listed here are by their maiden names respectively to show their roots. 

Everything has what I loosely call elements and what "defines us" is our Mind, Body, Spirit and Emotions. These elements are our gifts and we have to balance these elements, to truly be quʔas "A Human Being".  We must strengthen all elements of our selves: nurture our mind with teaching and learning; nurture our body with healthy food and activity; nurture our spirit with prayer and love; and nurture our emotions with healthy expressions and social activity. 

Where am I now? Culturally I am the Ciqḥc̓i "Speaker" for Tayii haw̓ił načquʔa Derek Peters from the House of ʔapwinʔasʔatḥ "House in the Centre of the Village".  I am Qanaaƛa "The Head Wolf"  ƛiḥwituʔa, a role my grandfater Yaaksiis Dave Haipee had and passed down onto me. I am filling in naturally to the roles of my teachers and I often advise or plan with the ḥawiihḥ and ḥaḥaquum, the Royal Ones of the Nations.

Personally, I am a grandson, son, brother, uncle, partner, and father.  I have a wonderful family bountiful with siblings, fortunate to have my grandmothers Molly & Step “Nan” Nellie, and many nieces and nephews. I have a partner in life, Natika Bock who I love so dearly.  I have two daughters Sylvia Angela Maureen Dennis (13) and Antina Georgina Dennis (11), who I co-parent, and Natika and I are expecting a summer Treaty Baby.  Such as a side, it’s interesting it is to me how much we love this precious little one so very much.  The emotions we have for our unborn baby shows that my teachers are right: Love is from within just as our Spirit.   Love begins before birth and grows exponentially forever.

2011 is a big year for me and for many others.  April 01, 2011, marked the Effective Date of our historic Maa-nulth Treaty, a symbol of my father’s lifetime of work.  Kiixʔin, the birth place of Huu-ay-aht, is now recognized as an Official National Historic Site of Canada, And finally, this summer our Treaty Baby, Eden Magdalene Joey Dennis will be born.

Where am I going? I want for us to be remembered as a thoughtful, balanced and dignified.  We can truly walk in two worlds, in a positive combination of the old ways and the new World! I believe in the Teachings of my ancestors and I WISH (Pun intended) haha I Wish to share some of those teaching here Modernize Nuučanuł, We have not forgotten who we are, lets never forget who we are!

"In the Horizon, place where spirit world meets physical world and Home of our Ancestors. Look to them and walk like they walked this will ensure past not only becoming present but future as well, For one day our children will walk as we do!"