Canis Lupus Crassodon * Vancouver Island Wolf * Quiet~seek
Canis Lupus Crassodon: Or the Vancouver Island Grey Wolf, is as unique to this world as the people whom first worshiped this incredibly fierce, and powerful predator!
Wolf clan: I am, as all of my people are, belonging to the Wolf Clan. I am Nuu-chah-nulth-aht or the "People of the Mountains Facing the Ocean" and all of our peoples are Wolf Clan or they are not Wolf Clan. It is quite simple, yet to this day it is still considered the most sacred of all ceremonies is that initiation into the Clan. It is not my intention to divulge the society secrets, not at all, my intention is to simply share the intrigue that surrounds the Vancouver Island Grey Wolf. One other connecting facts. Disturbing fact but not irreversible, is the fact that both the Wolf and the language of the people whom first worship the Wolf are both considered endangered. What can we do?
"Quiet~Seek" The spirit guide,
and companion to life.
The Language:To promote usage of my endangered language, I will from here on out use Quiet~Seek the Vancouver Island Grey Wolf original Nuu-chah-nulth name. It is spelled here for general public. I believe that the Quiet~Seek is one that people will remember, for the wolf surly has many more names than this, and that is part of the fame of Quiet~Seek. I will continue to add some more "ququ?aca" The Language Of the People (Nuu-chah-nulth) as I move along on my story here. I hope you enjoy,
Quiet~Seek Physical Characteristics: Their size 60-90 lbs among the Quiet~Seek that is a medium size, or the size of a typical German Shepard. From nose to tail approximately 4-5 feet for adults, and live in packs usually of consisting of 4-9 members in rare cases they pack can grow exponentially and have up to 35 plus pack members. Appearance wise they can vary like all grey wolves they can be Grey, black, brown, reddish brown, and even white. Their diet like other wolves is largely Ungulates such as White Tail Deer and Roosevelt Elk. The Quiet~Seek also very adaptive and will harvest salmon from spawning rivers. They will forage just like the Nuu-chah-nulth the tidal zones to find the most bountiful area for mollusks like Clams, mussels, and oysters etc. The Quiet~Seek maximized all food sources within their territory.
Happy Singing People: A famed author in our country the Nuu-chah-nult; Dr George Clutesi Of the People Of Tseshaht, and it was he whom first coined the phrase; "They were a happy singing people" in his early play write days. He shone a spotlight on our people and the love of music that is within each of us! On the West Coast of Vancouver Island we the Nuu-chah-nulth have songs for any and all occasions. To name some key events in which a song is in order we have the following; birth, birthday's, for paddling, for going to war, to make peace, to grieve, to finish grieving, to be happy, and most importantly to gift give.
Who~haa "Howl": Ironically the Quiet~Seek also sing for any and all occasions. In the wild the Quiet~Seek will howl for the sake of howling, to harmonize, to celebrate life, to mourn death of a pack member, to go into battle, stand their ground if defending territory, and most commonly to sing to the full moon. This could be case for famed Irish poet and novelist quote by Oscar Wilde: “Paradoxically though it may seem, it is none the less true that life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” Now I wonder do the Quiet~Seek imitate Nuu-chah-nulth or vice verse? It does indeed pose a good question, and I for one can not say for certain, as these are traits that the Quiet~Seek and The Nuu-chah-nulth have had in common for centuries. I know only this for certain, the Quiet~Seek like to Who~haa as much as the people of Nuu-chah-nulth like to sing.
What Can We Do for the Nuu-chah-nulth language? I will continuously promote usage of the language. I will add to the vocabulary in each blog entry, I will use all my skills to re-vitalize the language I love. I will do as the wolf does use my language and clearly communicate within my family group or pack. I will continue to sing my songs, for in each song is a hidden treasure of the language of the people. Songs inspire words, inspires story, and that story connects back to a family. The songs are my guide, like the Whoo~haa is the guide for the Quiet~Seek , the songs will guide my my spirit to the Language that I Love!
What Can We Do For The Quiet~Seek?: For the Quiet~seek best thing we can do is understand that top predators are indeed a Key Stone Species. Wolves being a top predator, wolves are important in many habitats.
Wolves keep deer populations in check and too many deer will eat small
trees, which leads to fewer trees. In turn, there would be fewer birds
and beavers and the whole ecosystem would change. They are also responsible for causing improvements on the rivers that surround their territory. The rivers are effected by the consumption of vegetation by ungulates is thus restrained, giving many riparian areas a chance to recover. Where the Quiet~Seek reside, life is abundant. They need their space, they need for their habitat to remain wild as they are. To much development equals habituation, and Quiet~Seek habituation equals certain death. A habituated Quiet~Seek is a dead one, keep the wolves wild, and the people will be safe!
Hish~uk~ish~tsa~walk: Ancient principles guide the People of Nuu-chah-nulth to be more like the Quiet~Seek. Value your family, value your wolf pack, value the territory in which you depend on for survival, value the old for teaching the ways, value the young for learning, value everything and remember Hish~uk~ish~tsa~walk "Everything is One and Connected!"
Nourishment of the body is done by the foods and drinks we partake in, Nourishing the Soul on the other hand, is done through the company we keep over a meal. This is a story of how an unexpected Robin we shall call her Quiche. No not the delicious French Breakfast dish, rather short for Quiche-key-cou and the word for the bird Robin in my language, and how Quiche transformed the narrow view that Ko-ishin-mit "Son of Raven" has for vegetative foods.
Ko-ishin-mit ~ "Son Of Raven"
Based upon the stories of my people the Nuu-chah-nulth whom use an anthropomorphic style in story telling. Which is basically just giving human characteristics and form to anything other than human beings. I know that this character Ko-ishin-mit is very much food driven, he is also something of a trickster or boisterous character. A squawker always has something to talk about. One thing for certain with Ko-ishin-mit he never, never says no to an offering of food.
So one nice summer day Quiche moved into the tree next to Ko-ishin-mit. Almost instantly these neighbors discover that the social nature of Ko-ishin-mit as he liked to eat with others. That fact would soon build a bond between the two. Day in and day out they would feast with one another. She soon found out that Ko-ishin-mit liked to eat salmon with everything. Quiche would often bring vegetables to contribute to the feast, teaching along the way the different benefits of vegetation.
MmMmm Salmon
Ko-ishin-mit thought that salmon was the, end all to be all in food. He soon found that matching and pairing of foods was quite beneficial and tasty! His reluctance to try new foods, soon was overcome by Kindness, Imagine that kindness in unkindness (a collective of ravens) it was kindness and generosity that bonded the neighbors. Ko-ishin-mit would often talk of generosity of mother nature, of people and especially of generosity in sharing of food. For that action alone is a staple in how we the Nuu-chah-nulth conduct the most sacred of business, is conducted over a meal. Quiche and Ko-ishin-mit where they came from was worlds apart, yet as individuals they were very much the same, sharing a meal together is what bonded these two characters.
Soon the Ko-ishin-mit became very versatile in food preparations, little
did he know that adding volume to how and what he eats with his salmon would add such versatility. He would make a raw vegetable dips of canned salmon. He would prepare salmon "Fish Hash" a variety of root vegetables mixed in with canned salmon. He would eat salmon on his pizza, and it is quite delish too! He would make chicken eggs and salmon eggs and spinach omelet. He loved that his vegetative repertoire was expanding he soon found what grabs the attention of his taste buds, is more a blessing that anything he has experienced before. All thanks to lil quiche, she open his world view, and truly explored foods and vegetation.
Everyone you meet has something valuable to teach you! You need only be open to teaching, learning, and sharing with one another. My time of "Life On The Edge" during the summer of 13, was indeed lasting and memorable. Quiche may have migrated back to her home, she remains however bound to the heart of a raven. We are told as children that food nourishes the body and our company nourishes the soul. For we are social creatures in search of great food, and great company. I know for certain that Quiche has taught Kindness, vegetation, sharing, and most importantly respect for foods and how foods are harvested and processed. Something Ko-ishin-mit took for granted, and will take for granted no more.
This is one story of how an unexpected little robin "Quiche" and how she nourished the soul of Ko-ishin-mit. The salmon loving Son Of Raven for she did the unimaginable through kindness and persistence changed his view on the foods we eat! A change for the better, I might add!!
In a Flash Of Lightning An Entrance Song Is BornThe 6th Of June, Tyee Tliishin and Hakuum Homin'niki were officially married and when these two beautiful people choose to, enter into the building they choose to do so with this song: The KLEE KLEE HA ~ HUU-AY-AHT "Huu-ay-aht Lightning". A very proud moment for I, Wish Key am the song maker but in this case the song found me and now I wish to tell you how this song has a gift to navigate its own way!
The actual Canoe came first before the song so I will start at the beginning tell you the whole story, for it was the Canoe that inspired the song. On the 5th of June 1999 the Huu-ay-aht invited all to an event to launch the Klee Klee Ha - Lightning Canoe. Hosted by Tyee Tliishin (A.Spencer Peters) and the Huu-ay-aht People. The day started with song and dance, followed by a Blessing, and the Inaugural launch. Followed by a celebration in honor of Master Carver Nuukmiis "Ed Johnson Sr" & Apprentices Ed Johnson Jr and Gabe Williams. I had a feeling we needed a song for our canoe, but I was basking in the moment, I have witnessed many historic events in my life, but never anything like this! All I could think "Wow do we have an powerful canoe!"
One other historic ceremony happened on that day! Tsu-i-ya-koolth Aka Granny Aggie Peters, grandmother to our current Tyee Tliishin. It was she Aggie Peters whom was gifted as a Wedding Dowry the Anacla HaaHuulthi - Territory complete with Mountain range, River, Village, Beach and water front all encompassed within that territory. On this historic day Aggie Peters then chose to pass it on to her daughters and granddaughter. It was an wedding dowry she got from Chief Louie Nookemis when she married Tliishin Artur Peters not sure whom to pass it onto she choose all of her descendants. As the Inaugural launch continued from Ancala beach I felt even more strongly that our people, The HUU-AY-AHT needed a powerful paddle song for our brand new canoe!
The next summer KleeKleeHa Huu-ay-aht found me, I was sitting at the sandy point of our beach at Anacla listening to the waves and the wind. Suddenly they started to sing to me I could hear the drum beat as the waves crashed ever so softly against the sandy shore, I could hear the words KleeKleeHa Huu-ay-aht in the wind. I sat there for hours and hours waiting until I knew that I had remembered the song that had navigated its way to me. The intro of the song followed soon after as did the gifting of the song to all HUU-AY-AHT, with special mention to the youth of our community I gave this song to all our peoples
Our HUU-AY-AHT community had a lot to be proud of, we have a canoe, we have beautiful beach, we have a beautiful song. What is it that we need now? We need a Princess for our Prince Naasiismis Derek Peters and his Late father Tliishin A. Spencer Peters paddled across the Barclay sound from Bamfeild to Ucluelet in order to propose for the hand of Irene WIlliams of Ucluelet and Hupacasaht tribes respectively. A patriarchal society we live in, we then paddled to the resident village of her father in order to follow through with this proposal. Amazingly after much coaxing and even the words of the future king himself is what won us the HUU-AY-AHT the hand of the princess from Ucluelet. Now we must prepare to celebrate this historic day.
Shockingly and with great devastation to the HUU-AY-AHT the family of our King's family was slowly but surely transitioning to the spirit world. All of the promises that we made on that shore of Ucluelet must wait, our canoe is still for the time being, it is motionless. Our King lost family members first of his Father and without warning or time to prepare he had to grieve and fill the shoes of his father at the same time. We also lost the Queen mother Aggie Peters, and then shortly after Steven Peters younger brother to A.Spencer Peters. We the HUU-AY-AHT were still, quiet and very much weakened.
In weakness we found strength, we shifted and when the time came to move our canoe again Ironically we choose an anniversary the 5th of June 2015 one day before the historic wedding and 16 years after the inaugural launch. The Klee Klee Ha HUU-AY-AHT was launched again from Poets nook we paddled from and journeyed towards Port Alberni, our Nation and the Kings family were on the move again. Thanks largely to Clara Clappis Mother to our Queen for it was she whom reminded us that we need to make use of our KleeKleeHa for in her eyes when we paddled away those years ago with her daughter in our canoe. Now we are back and we need to pick up where we left of get back into that canoe and journey onwards and forwards.
The Klee Klee Ha HUU-AY-AHT has arrived with our King and Queen in a flash of brilliance, in a flash of lightning we made a grand entrance to the song KleeKleeHa. It took the people of HUU-AY-AHT to make my beautiful song into a powerful song! The song is now befitting of all our people. It is people that give strength to move onwards and forward we entered into the building in a flash of brilliance paying homage to our King and Queen the HUU-AY-AHT entered the Alberni Athletic Hall.
In closing I would like to say that the KleeKleeHa song found me on the shores of Pachena Bay, the song found its way into the hearts of the youth of HUU-AY-AHT and the song founds its way to become the new entrance song for our people. The KleeKleeHa is a symbol of life, and love and has very much become a part of our history. We have a King, A Queen, and in turn A Princess "Olio" that too will transform into the song over time, for we the HUU-AY-AHT are still no more, our canoe is back our Nation is back, we are the people of the Comeback! When we enter a building to conduct traditional business, we will do so with our canoe and with our entrance song: The KleeKleeha HUU-AY-AHT.
This is a story of a song just like the canoe in which it was named after, A song that has a will to find its own way into the hearts of people. I love this song and I say Kle-co, Kle-co to all whom helped to make this song into one of beauty, power, and intrigue. I propose that for our King and Queen we call our Drum and Dance group the KleeKleeHa. We have the Thunder drummers and dancers that flash brilliance. We are the KleeKleeHa HUU-AY-AHT just like our new entrance song says!
By: Wish-Key speaker and storyteller for Tyee Tliishin and Hakuum Homin'niki
Happy Singing People: A famed author in our country the Nuu-chah-nult; Dr George Clutesi Of the People Of Tseshaht, and it was he whom first coined the phrase; "They were a happy singing people" in his early play write days. He shone a spotlight on our people and the love of music that is within each of us! On the West Coast of Vancouver Island we the Nuu-chah-nulth have songs for any and all occasions. To name some key events in which a song is in order we have the following; birth, birthday's, for paddling, for going to war, to make peace, to grieve, to finish grieving, to be happy, and most importantly to gift give. 
Who~haa "Howl": Ironically the Quiet~Seek also sing for any and all occasions. In the wild the Quiet~Seek will howl for the sake of howling, to harmonize, to celebrate life, to mourn death of a pack member, to go into battle, stand their ground if defending territory, and most commonly to sing to the full moon. This could be case for famed Irish poet and novelist quote by Oscar Wilde: “Paradoxically though it may seem, it is none the less true that life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” Now I wonder do the Quiet~Seek imitate Nuu-chah-nulth or vice verse? It does indeed pose a good question, and I for one can not say for certain, as these are traits that the Quiet~Seek and The Nuu-chah-nulth have had in common for centuries. I know only this for certain, the Quiet~Seek like to Who~haa as much as the people of Nuu-chah-nulth like to sing. 
