Saturday, February 23, 2013

Everything is One and Connected


                                      Hišukʔišc̓awaak: Everything is One and Connected:

Imagine if you will a beautiful summer day, a long dustyroad, a river bank, evergreens, a clear blue sky and eagles, eagles everywhere.Sometimes nature inspires so much that it will transform metaphysically intoour very being, our emotions, our life lessons and even our spirit. This is onesuch story!

My story begins thirty years ago, the summer of 1983 I had just turned eleven, and on one of my many journeys to the homelands we had asurprise of a life time. There were eagles, eagles everywhere, and If there everwas an awe inspiring time, an defining moment in my life I would have to saythis was defiantly one of them.

My story actually begins before I was even born in the time of my father’s childhood, and that was a very different time on the west coast of Vancouver Island. McMillan/Blodell was a forestry giant an Icon in the logging industry. Sadly their forest practices had much to be desired, and were based out of greed. They logging company pillaged the old growth forests for all that they were worth. Causing devastation in their wake with unsustainable practices, where they would clear cut entire estuaries without a second thought.

It was those unsustainable practices that proved beyond a shadow of doubt, an ancient belief of my people, the Nuu-chah-nulth, and the principle of hišukʔiš c̓awaak “Everything is one and connected”. For theclear cut practices of the ̣1950s left devastation in the form of river damage.So much so that salmon did not return to spawn at that river for decades. No salmon, no food means no predators for salmon is a staple food for all life forms. It also meant that there were no eagles in my homelands

That’s what made that faithful day so defining, I think, apart of my father’s passion and admiration for the eagle was born out of its absence. For decades they did not go home, my father a born fisherman knew the significance of this great bird of prey, and its role in our environment. There was nothing we could do but wait, and the wait was over. The eagles returned,the salmon returned, the spawning season had returned, and that is a great sign of life for all living creatures on the west coast

So back to my story we drive a long gravel road destination Bamfield, and portions of that road run alongside the river bank. My father filled with joy and excitement says to me “Look son, look at the eagles, eagles are everywhere” he was so happy. We stopped and it was impossible to count exactly how many there were, but there were dozens of eagles. They were everywhere, Circling high in the sky, perched in the evergreens, and at the river bank for spawning season is a great sign of life for all living things.

My father sang, and he sang he was so inspired by the bountyof life, that I could see that his spirit was thriving with hope. The return of the Eagle it was that moment that I witnessed transformation, and his spirit bonded with the eagle. That became his spirit power,and every time I sing this song I do so with great pride and fond memories of that faithful day. I had never before witness a song come to life before my very eyes It was something I believe I needed to see at that point of my life.Songs are inherent and before that day I thought they came from a long, longtime ago. I now know that songs are of the spirit and if you are open to songs they are open to you.

Aside from the spiritual awakening my grandfather sat me down for this was a teachable moment if there ever was one. He said look around grandson and tell me everything you see. I tell my him I seethe same thing we all see eagles, the eagles are everywhere. The eagles at the river, I see them in the trees and circling in the sky above and there all eating fish. He says good boy, I will tell you now, what is unseen, they are indeed eating fish, they are feasting, and they not only feed themselves they feed mother nature.

Animals do not all sit at a table together and eat as we humans do, the young and less dominant eagles will go off to eat in seclusion, for survival, for if they do not their dinner will likely be taken by a more dominant eagle. In doing this going off into seclusion to eat, they feed all living things, for the waste of their food is not waste at all. It nurtures the soil, it feeds the trees, and the trees feed the world air. everything is one and connected hišukʔišc̓awaak

This is what my father had decided this song will sing a bout, and I love this song, it is now my song, and that’s how this event transformed into my very being, into my heart and into my spirit for I do love to sing and this song will live on. Songs are spiritual and live well beyond our physical life, they are just as our rights and responsibilities are, they are INHEIRANT. Remember the rights we have are also responsibilities, and remember hišukʔišc̓awaak, Everything is one and connected.


The words in this song are no coincidence the song says:
ḥayu qumł c̓ixʷatin “There are many eagles” (Implied at the river bank)
ḥayu qumł mataas c̓ixʷatin “many eagles perched in the tree”
ḥayu qumł citqʷaa c̓ixʷatin “Many eagles circling in the sky”


Sunday, February 17, 2013

Mystery of Sasquatch

    Mystery of Sasquatch!
Story By: Wišqii “Rob Dennis Jr”
 This is Kiixin, birthplace of my people, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island BC Canada. The Mystery of Sasquatch is as old as time itself. ƛiišin my hereditary chief, whom I dedicate this story to, has a responsibility to protect the identity of the sacred squatch, to repay a debt for it was his ancestor that was saved by the mysterious one in the beginning of time, and to honor that debt he will always seek out new ways to protect the identity of the one called Sasquatch. 

Imagine if you will the beginning of time načquʔa the first man of the world has built his home and he is going to explore kiixin to invite the worldly creatures to his house for a feast. He wants to showcase the pride he has for his wife ḥominiki and their daughter ḥupałʔas. He wants to live up to what he said in asking for her hand. He promised to always love his wife, and daughter. For they mean the most to him and he will always, always take care of his family. He is the first man of the lands, he takes a new name it is ƛiišin of Kiixin and he is the first ḥawił, he is the king of kiixin and it is his responsibility is to take care of his family and the environment that takes care of them. He then goes out to invite all in the land, the sea, the air, and beyond to proclaim that he will always care for everything and everyone. It is here in the beginning that he realizes the principle, hišʔukʔiš c̓awaak "everything is one and connected" 

 He starts to explore, and naturally he starts with the place he is physically at, his home of kiixin. He meets many animals on the lands of kiixin he meets: naani, the grizzly bear, he meets k̓ayumin the cougar, he meets ƛuunim the elk, and the king of the land animals qʷayac̓iik the wolf. All of the creatures of the woods talk of each other, but they also talk about the mysterious one. The one everybody knows of, but does not see. c̓acuqḥta (Tsa-tsook-ta) more commonly known as Sasquatch
                                           
After exploring the lands of kiixin he begins to explore the air of kiixin, up above, and high in the sky he sees many creatures. There is k̓aack̓aamin the butterfly, qʷinii the squawking sea gull, naḥtač the mallard duck, and the king of the air animals c̓ixʷatin the eagle. oddly enough again they all talk of each other, but they also talk about the mysterious one. He asks himself "what is c̓ac̓uqḥta and where do I find him?"       

Next he then goes to the waters of kiixin many sources of water ponds, lakes, rivers and ocean means there are many water animals, he meets sac̓up the spawning tyee salmon, waaʕit the frog, kiłanuus the seal, the king of the water animals kakw̓in the killer whale. they too talk of the mysterious one c̓ac̓uqḥta. The fact that all creatures from the lands, sky above and the waters are all talking about the mysterious one certainly has the attention of ƛiišin. He is very curious, and is determined to find him.
                                                                                                                                              
He finds one place where the lands, waters, and air all meet, the place is called čemataqsuł which means place that “imitates sea monster.” It is door way to the spirit world. It is also abundant in food it serves as a distraction to that keep that doorway hidden. This tidal zone is the is visited by every creature of this world, from the most dominant of predators to the lowest on the food chain. The tidal zone, is abundant in foods, and a place where all life goes to gather foods rich in nutrients. There are many foods yeʔisi the clam, hiʔištuup the rock sticker, hasaamac̓ the crab, and of course everyone favorite t̓uc̓up the sea urchin

čemataqsuł is a very dangerous place, it is a place where worlds collide. The strong winds and the Ocean currents collide with the land base, it is a supernatural place and the doorway to the spirit world where the magical creatures reside. There is hiʔƛiik the sea serpent, chemataqsu the sea monster guardian of the doorway, kakaw̓inčiił the transforming killer whale and the king of the spirit world tiickin the Thunderbird    

It is there in the spirit world that he learns that c̓ac̓uqḥta is both natural and supernatural. He can walk both worlds and a favorite stop of his is the tidal zone, for the food of the natural world is what he likes the best. ƛiišin finds out about this and every dawn he “Carries day on his shoulders” combing the beaches looking for the mysterious one. At home his lovely wife Hominiki and his beautiful daughter often call him nasiismis for he is always carrying the day on the beach, in search of the mysterious one, for that too becomes one of his names nasiismis "Carries day on his shoulders"      

One morning ƛiišin spotted a huge foot print the sheer size of this print dwarfed his own. He was very excited he had never before seen a print this size. He goes on the prowl, he is looking to find what left behind this print, he thinks to himself this has got to be a print of the c̓ac̓uqḥta. he runs along the shoreline taking big huge leaps and steps trying to keep up with the creature. forgetting he is at čematqsuł a very dangerous place. Next thing he knows a blankets of fog has been thrown over the shoreline. He cannot see but he is too close to give up, and continues to seek out the mysterious one. Running along the rugged shoreline in a blanket of fog is very dangerous and ƛiišin finds out the hard way. A steep fall knocks out the young chief ƛiišin. The rising tide could soon swallow him up.  c̓ac̓uqḥta the mysterious one senses that something has happened, he pauses forgets about the chase and goes back to help the young chief. 

  c̓ac̓uqḥta in a huge demonstration of compassion for his fallen foe, picks up ƛiišin and carries him to safety. The young chief drifting in and out of conciseness is aware that the mysterious one is helping him out. No words are spoken but ƛiišin feels that if the mysterious one is trying so hard to hide his identity then, so be it. He will no longer try to expose him. He will instead protect him. Upon his return to Kiixin, he makes his first proclamation to protect the identity of c̓ac̓uqḥta for he is indebted to c̓ac̓uqḥta for saving his life. 
     
Himwic̓a Storytelling: Sasquatch prints:  
In the physical world, we know Sasquatch exit’s because of the foot prints he leaves behind. They are just as he is larger than life, larger than any being in the all the lands of kiixin. Often spotted on the shoreline, for he too loves the foods of the tidal zone. To scare a person from stalking a c̓ac̓uqḥta as ƛiišin once did. He tells the children if you step in a foot print of Sasquatch you too will become a c̓ac̓uqḥta he tells the children the beaches are prints and they play a game called c̓ac̓uqḥtaʔił Jumping from rock to rock, or log to log for if your foot touches the beach you too turn will into c̓ac̓uqḥta, and then you will have to hide from the others. 

This is the seed he plants in the children for he does not want for them to truly discover the mystery of Sasquatch. He does this to protect the identity of the mysterious one.  

Himwic̓a Storytelling: Sasquatch Hair.

Pawaac̓imyiłʔič “Come gather around the nest”: Cixwatin the eagle call the little ones to gather around the nest. for his tale is one of intrigue one of great power, mystery and transformation. One day an ordinary eagle gathering objects for his nest, finds a feather, but attached to that feather is a Sasquatch Hair. He adds that feather and Sasquatch hair to his the nest little does he know the power of the c̓acuqḥta hair. The hair of the mysterious one has great powers and he just gave that power to his eaglet The boy grows up fast and strong, very much more strength and speed than the rest of the eagles. The power of the hair of c̓ac̓uqḥta helped the boy to grow and grow continuously. Towering over all the other eagles, and when he flapped his wings it was like thunder cracking in the sky. This powerful one had transformed, and was was given the name tiickin “ThunderBird.” and he is now the king of the spirit world. 

Himwic̓a Storytelling: Larger than Life.
Everyone talks about c̓ac̓uqḥta he is often called by many names including sasquatch, yeti  and big foot. But no other beings are more sure of the size of the mysterious one, than that of the water creatures. To look upon him through their eyes you truly would see an enormous squatch. Beware he is taller than any other animal in the natural world, and the massive size of the mysterious one, often freezes people in their tracks. The fear is in seeing him is great, for everyone talks about seeing him, yet no one really does. That’s the scary part and the creatures of the water think that if you see him too up close it may be the last thing you see.   


Himwic̓a: Storytelling                                                                   Sasquatch scent
čiḥaamis the great spirit power of the sasquatch, is his stench, many people talk of the scent. It is very strong and unlike any other being or animal that we know of. His smell identifies him as truly unique.
Because of the mysterious one we have identified č̓iḥaamis as a spirit power or a monster, it is a great power, and in creating fear of the mysterious one through these short stories we must remember we also create curiosity. respect is what balances fear and fearlessness. We must have respect for the unknown, respect for the life and all that gives us our life.
This is how c̓ac̓uuqḥta lives, the one with the biggest footprint leaves behind the smallest foot print. According to our history and the animals of the world, C̓ac̓uqḥta does exist, yet there is no evidence of this existence. For the mysterious one lives in the moment, taking only what is needed to survive. Much can be learned by the daily life of the mysterious one but it is just that a mystery, one that we need to solve. We must ask ourselves how can we truly be one with our surroundings how can we find “hišuk c̓awaak” the concept of Everything is one and connected, is a concept as old as time itself and must be continued through ought the ages. 

There are many things in the world that are universal many things that all life depend on. I have listed much of here in my story to live, to not only survive, but to thrive. We must have clean air, clean water, clean lands and the day itself. We also have mystery that is the main purpose of c̓ac̓uqḥta the mystery. Many things in our life will never be solved and that is OK, if all c̓ac̓uqḥta is doing is creating mystery then we are OK. We as people need to be striving for something, living vicariously with a role and a responsibility to take care of all that takes care of us. To create holistically deep within our being our body, mind, spirit and emotions to create that  mystery, intrigue and Imagination so that we can live in the moment take only what we need. The mysterious one embodies the spirit and intent of our people, and the hope that our FOOTPRINT we leave behind is just that a foot print and not a path of destruction. For the path of c̓ac̓uqḥta is one we should all follow. 


This story has not ended, it has just begun.
To Be Continued!
Wišqii: Robert Dennis Jr 2013





Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Timeless View


Timeless view
My Daughter's Tree 

             Very few places transcend time.  Absolutely a favorite place of mine is that of my grandmother’s house, a place we now call Ucluelet. She has lived there for as long as I have memories. It is a very beautiful place.

             The view from my grandmother’s house is amazing. It is nestled with the snow capped mountains behind, a rocky beach leading out to the bay and then the ocean in the front. It truly is a sight to see. Traditionally we called it It-tat-soo (an ancient place). On that shore line are a variety of trees planted to represent members of my grandmother’s family. My cedar, which is now forty. Is the tallest of all the tree’s and right beside it is my baby’s tree the smallest.  Hers was just planted in August of  2011. You look just beyond the shoreline trees across the bay, and you can see the bright neon lighting on the main street of the town.

To listen from my grandmother’s house is another thing. Close your eyes, and imagine, if you will, waves crashing onto the shore. The constant rhythm reminds me of an ancient song echoing throughought the ages. I can hear it ever so softly. I can also hear cars, horns, boats and the most common sound of them all is that of the seagulls squawking. They are relentless. Day turns to night, and you can hear another echo. That of the fog horn, bellowing throughought the bay. That’s their cue; the seagulls now pass it on to the harbour seals. It is their turn to tell their stories, into the night they sing for they too are relentless.
kiłan̓uus - Harbor Seals 

Beckoned by the distinct smell of the smokehouse fish, the seals make their plea. They bark, “May I also have some fish.” On this night the salty ocean air is taken over by the smoke house fish and the smouldering ambers of the slow burning alder. The smell of the traditional smoke house contrasts with that of the modern view of the township lights almost as much as the backyard mountains contrasts with the ocean beach front. On this night there certainly is an array of scents: the Ocean air, the evergreens, the smoke and the fish.

A constant reminder that the true essence of me is in knowing that I am a man of ancient ways and modern ways. For from my grandmother’s house I truly have a Timeless View.





Thursday, January 31, 2013

#IdleNoMore Song in Nuu-chah-nulth


January 11th, 2013 is the birthday for this #IdleNoMore song, and I made this song for the idle no more movement.
In my part of the country we potlatch and our songs are very specific to our ceremonies. I remain as always a singer, I want to sing with others and especially when there is a drum group, dancers & an audience.


Aside from the background on this video, you can find this song on sound cloud and download it, I have attached a link here should you like to do so. https://soundcloud.com/wish-key/idlenomore. This is a little of history of this creation.  It is made not for potlatch, not for anyone person, rather our united stance in the Idle No More movement. Anybody is welcome to sing the song no mater gender, age, race if you support the movement feel free to do so with this song.        

#IdleNoMore: This song was inspired by Chief Theresa Spence and the countless women of the Idle No More movement, taking a stand for what they believe in. They stand for our waters Tsa-ah-to-kis "The little sound of Water Flowing" and the precious lil ones that will need the water and resources in the future. The mothers and women stand up for what is right, and for that they are honored with this song.

Translation:
It is with love and compassion that the women take care of it all, we will be still no more we are Idle No More!.
Lyrics Pronounced translation
wik̓ii ʕiqḥi (wik-key, ache-he) "Be still no more"
ʔuuʔaałuk̓i (oo-aa-lthook-key) "The one who takes care"
łuc̓amiiḥ (Clue-sa.meh) "Women"
yaʔak (Ya-uk) "w/Love"

Lastly the pictures in this video are from Various #IdleNoMore events on Turtle Island BC
·         Port Alberni Dec 26th 2012, Idle No More
·         Victoria Jan 5th 2013, Peaceful blockade of Co-ho ferry
·         Ucluelet/Tofino Junction January 11th 2013, Peaceful Blockade of HWY 4
·         Nanaimo January 12th 2013, Treaty Rights March
·         Nanoose January 12th 2013, Peaceful Blockade HWY 19

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Victoria BC Coho Ferry


Idle No More: Goes to Victoria BC Canada



A peaceful blockade of the Coho Ferry. Purpose and Intent Flash mob, where our people politely protest in this peaceful blockade by singing songs.
 Vancouver Island Nations:

  1. Coast Salish (Host Nation) 
  2. Nuu-chah-nulth supporting guest
  3. Kwakwaka'wakw supporting guest

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Chief Spence: Hunger Strike


When I think about Chief Theresa Spence, and I often do. Which I find rather odd considering I have never once in my life met this wonderful lady. I have never once looked into her eyes, said hello to in passing, shook hands with her and it is very likely I have never even been in the same province as her. Yet the respect, love and admiration that I have for her is immense.  Why is that?

Now take into account I have considerable teachings on fasting, spirituality, vision questing etc, etc. so my question why, relates to having never physically met or been in contact with Chief Spence.  When my teachings tell me our physical being is the smallest part of whom we are. It is merely the starting point, it is from there in which we grow. I wonder how can one person reach the world far beyond physical limitations.

 In fasting and depriving our physical being from precious foods, water and anything we ingest on a regular basis may, on the surface seem as though your disconnecting when in actuality your reconnecting. In absence you find great hunger, great needs and great thirst, and the power of fasting actually builds appreciation to those things you crave and need the most. The things that we value are foods, medicines, vegetation and our water, our life depends on these things. I say having a deeper respect for these things are a good thing for anyone to have.

The next step is within our mind, our thoughts, our mental being. In fasting we find ourselves thinking a lot about the things we crave most. We find that our foods and water have great a impact on our mind as well. Our thoughts are different in hunger, our minds are weary, fatigued and very much focused on what we want. So fasting is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. A powerful mind does not give into cravings, for our minds are more powerful than our bodies.

The next part of who we are is going to another level, our spiritual being. This can be as big or as small as you want. It just depends on how far your willing to go. Our spirit most defiantly has greater reaches than our mind and body combined. In fasting you realize how powerful your spirit really is. You find one of your greatest strength in weakness,  in hunger, in thirst and even fatigue you will find your spirit power is unrelenting. It will not fade, it will not wilt, it will not wither, but it will remain as strong as you wish it to be.

The last part of who we are is by far our greatest asset. Our emotional being, our love and compassion is truly our greatest strength as peoples. it has no bounds, it has no limits emotionally just as our spirit is on another level and can be as strong or weak as we wish it to be. We must be very cautious on how we nurture our emotions. In fasting we find how much our foods and water are connected to our emotional well being. Think of how moods change in hunger, am I the only one that gets grumpy in hunger? I think not.

What I am going through here is a medicine wheel of sorts, In my language and culture  in Nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) on the west coast of Vancouver island, we call the medicine wheel: sayaasim “North Star” the first child of the first people. This represents both the past and the future for sayaasim is the first child and sayaasim is an ancestor.

Sayaasim the north star is out of our physical reach and that is OK,  but in fasting and looking at the medicine wheel within we find a way to reach beyond our physical being. Anybody who is a parent or grandparent, or even anybody in the world that has lost someone they love, knows this. You do not need to see, touch or hold somebody to have love for them. love reaches the greatest distance and even beyond time itself. For love, like our emotions, have no bounds.

Now back to my original question, why is that I so immensely respect, love and admire somebody I do not even know?  The answer is simple Chief Theresa Spence has harnessed her greatest strengths her un-wilting spirit, her limitless love and compassion, she is inspiring people all around the world. Gratitude to her for awakening a thriving, spiritual, flash mob Singing beast I have had hidden within for far too long! Because of her I am #IdleNoMore

Because of her pride I have also rediscovered my pride and I will be a better person, partner and father, brother, son and yes even a better Canadian. Thank you Theresa

Yours Truly:  Wišqii of Turtle Island.