A Rich and Memorable Experience on the Waters of the Tsleil-Waututh people

About 20 (12 of us from St. Catherine’s) hardy, and hearty souls met at Cates Park and took to the waters of Burrard Inlet on the afternoon of October 30th. We were instructed on basic paddling technique, handed a life jacket, and rain poncho, and divided into two large, beautiful, traditional canoes, with our guides. 

The day was windy, cold and wet, but our spirits were not dampened. As we paddled, we had the privilege of hearing about the many locations in Burrard Inlet that were utlized by the Tsleil- Waututh people, as villages and fishing grounds, and learned of the continued existence of layered shell remnants at some of these sites that tell the story of hundreds of years of occupation. We heard traditional stories and songs, and gained a deep appreciation for the distances paddled up Indian Arm to fish for salmon, and the many ingenious types of canoes the Tsleil- Waututh people designed and crafted, dugout style, from massive cedar trees. 

Two hours passed, and it was time to head home for a hot bath, but this was indeed a rich and memorable experience, learning of the deeply respectful, long standing relationship of a people to the land and waters of their traditional home.