One Man's Opinion
by Tehaliwaskénhas-Bob Kennedy
August 14, 1999

T'Sou-ke Nation Greets History Ship

Chinese migrants made the news this week. Stowed away on big boats, attempting to be smuggled into the land of milk and honey. Canadians greeted them with harsh contempt and calls for stiffer refugee and immigration laws.

At the same time, the T'Sou-ke First Nation on Vancouver Island was participating in a history-greeting ceremony marking the occasion of the arrival of Captain Cook and his ship the Endeavour. He is one of those 'founders' of this New Land on behalf of the British in the 18th Century.

It was overcast and there was a susbtantial chill in the late afternoon air. A cautious, carnival-like excitement was there too. Dozens of local Sooke residents and a handful of First Nations' people gathered on Whiffen Spit, a popular walking spot that reaches out into the harbour.

As they looked out to sea with great curiosity their pace began to turn almost frantic, fueled by their sudden realization the mighty sailing-ship was coming in quicker than anticipated. Some sped to the Spit's end hoping to capture the best viewpoint and a coveted photograph.

Me too! After all, how often do we get to relive such momentous historic milestones? I was feeling pretty good until the sound of a canon blasted its way to my ears. There was a cloud of gunpowder smoke off the starboard side of the vessel. To my right, two young boys standing wide-eyed next to their mothers shouted, "Look they're shooting at the Indians, and they're trying to get away". Jolly belly laughter from the boys and the women seemed to last forever. Or at least a hundred and fifty years.

I was stunned! Overcome by the emotion in my gut. Fortunately, the rage surrounded the warrior-words and held them captive inside. But, if looks could kill!

I've learned to take time to process these feelings. The appearance of a friend on the scene was timely and comforting. A visitor, a Jewish woman, she carries her peoples' struggles with her always, and with them an understanding of the Indian Peoples' experiences. When she heard about the 'canon' comments she was like a thoroughbred racehorse out of the gate. Nostrils flaring, she demanded to know where these people were. "Say something to them!", she ordered. "How else are they going to learn?", she said with great gusto.

But I believe for me the time was better spent trying to seek proper perspective. Besides, if I was going to write about this event, I felt better discussing it. Was I being oversensitive? Checking it out with others, they responded with similar reactions, and then some. This took the discussion even further.

They questioned the appropriateness of celebrating the arrival of Captain Cook and all the baggage he brought with him .... colonialism, disease, loss of land, assimilation and the marginalization of the First Peoples here.

Unlike the public speeches of local dignitaries, these were the private words of women, individuals who said they felt sick to their stomach as they associated what was being celebrated, with the ills that came ashore more than a hundred and fifty years ago.( 150 is the number locals use a lot around here to pay heed to what they call the harmonious relationship between the T'Sou-ke Nation and the people of Sooke.)

It didn't rain then, nor will I rain on this event completely. The residents here believe they have a wonderful relationship with the T'Sou-ke Nation and honour Chief James Cooper and his community for being so gracious. For now, my respect is with him and his patience and tolerance and good neighbour/harmony policy.

Some day I believe we all will need to see these ceremonies and events as opportunities to educate each other, to clear the air by telling it like it really was, and is and how we intend to right the wrongs. Then we can move forward together.

I feel vindicated! Since first writing this, the local community newspaper published its version of the recent celebrations for Cook's history and the visit of the Endeavour replica. There was no report on the contribution of the T'Sou-ke Nation. No mention of Chief Cooper. But plenty was written about the non-Indian dignitaries and politicans.

There was a nice picture of the dancers. The mainstream media, especially the small towner-types like pretty pictures of Indians --- but not their history.

It's obvious it's going to take many more years to heal, and just like healing, telling the truth isn't always easy.

However, reality-laced-with-humor is easier. Like how the Endeavour brings to mind the frightfully inadequate immigration policies of North American Indians.