This cultural summary is based on written ethnographic accounts and our oral traditions. Together this material describes a way of life as it existed for us in the mid-nineteenth century.

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Canoe carving is core of culture

For Kw’umut Lelum’s Board of Directors and staff, a key mandate is to create family and children’s services that share the traditional values and customs of the nine First Nation communities they serve. Carving an ocean-going canoe from a massive red cedar with the input of children, youth and families from the nine communities, nicely follows this approach.

The nine nations served by Kw’umut Lelum are: Snuneymuxw, Nanoose, Penelakut, Malahat, Lyackson, Lake Cowichan, Qualicum, Halalt, and Chemainus

In launching the project last Friday with Snuneymuxw artist Noel Brown, Kw’umut Lelum will use traditional resources to teach, celebrate and assist families and children. At a ceremony held in Noel's yard beside the massive cedar log, generously donated by Cowichan Tribes, the project was blessed and sanctioned by Gary Manson.

The red cedar is perhaps the most cherished object in the shared culture of the nine nations, and as Master of Ceremonies Jerry Brown noted, the cedar canoe pre-serves a people and a way of life that might otherwise be lost. “Float planes, radios, the internet, overpower traditional culture. The canoe lets us keep our unique identities and utilize all our resources.”

The project calls for Noel Brown and his helpers to enlist families and children in carving the canoe in time to join Tribal Journeys this summer.

“The cedar tree is a builder. It is the long life maker, the human maker,” said Brown. “I offer thanks and con-gratulations to the Board members and staff who had the wisdom to see what is good. The cedar has always been the builder of our futures. The canoe-builder is also building us a better future.

The red cedar means 'a comfortable life' for us. In its form as a canoe it strengthens the interconnectivity of us all. So you can see the values we celebrate here, and the good they will serve our young people.”

Brown also noted that the canoe offers a list of strengths and assets including healing, clothing, shel-ter, transportation and protection – which are part of the key mandate of Kw’umut Lelum.

Bill Yoachim is the Executive Director of Kw’umut Lelum. In his remarks he reminded everyone that the canoe always unites and strengthens the people who build it, and this is also the promise of Kw’umut Le-lum. “We are Coast Salish people looking after Coast Salish people. My thanks to the families and children of Chemainus, Snuneymuxw, Qualicum, Nanoose, Penelakut, Malahat, Halalt, Lyackson and Lake Cowichan for your trust and support.”