Ch’ich’iyuy Awakening Ceremony
Hollyburn Sailing Club had the privilege of being invited by the Squamish Nation to hold, the awakening ceremony of the West Vancouver Police Department’s canoe, Ch’ich’iyuy a sacred tradition of the Squamish Nation.
Witnesses, Elders, WV Police Officers and the Integrated First Nations Unit take Ch’ich’iyuy to the beach for the awakening ceremony.
Ch’ich’iyuy is part of the Pulling Together” joint paddling program between the West Vancouver Police Department and the Squamish First Nation engaging youth on long canoe trips celebrating teamwork and learning about Coast Salish history and culture
Ch’ich’iyuy, named after the Two Sisters that overlook West Vancouver, arrived at the club in the morning light and was carried to the front of the Club on the shores of the Salish Sea.
Ch’ich’iyuy. on the beach facing East for the ceremony.
Participating in the ceremony were Students from Xwemélch'stn Etsimxwawtxw (Capilano Little Ones), Witnesses, Elders, Parents, West Vancouver police, Integrated First Nations Unit police. Witnessing the ceremony were Club Members, some members of the public and students from Collingwood School.
Sempúlyan Stewart Gonzales a Squamish Elder, organizes the Xwemélch'stn Etsimxwawtxw – students participating in the ceremony.
Kaylana Hazelman Charlie, Cst. Matt Plant and Sempúlyan Stewart Gonzales.
Sempúlyan Stewart Gonzales patiently detailed the protocols and significance of this traditional ceremony to the uninitiated. To explain some points, he included gentle humour, as he explained to the young boys why they should remove their hats as “the ancestors did not have ball caps and toques.”
The participants from Xwemélch'stn Etsimxwawtxw are given blankets for the ceremony.
After the blankets are handed out, the ceremony begins.
While the drummers drum, the cedar boughs are dipped in the seawater, then gently brushed against Ch’ich’iyuy.
Sempúlyan Stewart Gonzales a Squamish Elder, led the awakening ceremony. As he speaks, drums are beaten, songs are sung by students from the Xwemélch'stn Etsimxwawtxw – (Capilano Little Ones School). Wearing traditional blankets, they gently brush Ch’ich’iyuy to cleanse her and awaken her for the Pulling Together Journeys.
Sempúlyan Stewart Gonzales describes what is occuring and how the actions awaken Ch’ich’iyuy.
As the ceremony concludes, Ch’ich’iyuy awakes, ready to take her paddlers on the Pulling Together canoe journey.
Observers included Rotary West Vancouver Sunrise, Hollyburn Sailing Club members, Ocean Ambassadors, Parents and Students from Collingwood School. All were deeply moved by this unique experience.
We thank the Squamish Nation for sharing this tradition with us.
The conclusion of the ceremony involves participants circling Ch’ich’iyuy
Enjoying a buffet provided by Rotary Club of West Vanacouver Sunrise.
After Ch’ich’iyuy was awoken, the Rotary Club West Vancouver Sunrise provided a buffet lunch to all of the participants and guests. Fruit & vegetable platters, gourmet sandwiches, chips, juice boxes and bubbly drinks were quickly snapped up by all of the students.
The Rotary West Vancouver Sunrise buffet provided lunch for All, including our Ocean Ambassador guests from Collingwood School.
HSC provided life jackets and bailers for Ch’ich’iyuy’s first paddle of the season.
Newly awoken, Ch’ich’iyuy goes for a paddle. She is carefully carried to the water for her first paddle of the season.
Alive and awake Ch’ich’iyuy is welcomed by the Salish Sea… a precursor to the Pulling Together canoe journey.
Ch’ich’iyuy, now awake, goes for a paddle with some of the ceremony participants.
The Ch’ich’iyuy Awakening Ceremony was organized with the Squamish Nation, Sgt. Carla Rhodes from WVPD, Janice Zaharko from Rotary WV Sunrise and Mike Bretner for Hollyburn Sailing Club. Thanks to Sempúlyan Stewart Gonzales, Chris Bigland, Xwemélch'stn Etsimxwawtxw – (Capilano Little Ones School) students and the Collingwood Students.
Ch’ich’iyuy is used for educational journeys, “Pulling Together” to raise awareness, celebrate Coast Salish culture, and to strengthen the relationship between First Nation Peoples and Police.