Pulling Together is once again making news on the Sunshine Coast. Last Sunday marked the first mini-pull ever done by the group.
The plan was first hatched this past June when the big Pulling Together over-nighted in Gibsons on their way from Powell River to Vancouver. There a group of First Nations youth and their leader, Judi White, provided delicious cupcakes for the whole Pulling Together group. One thing led to another, and soon White was meeting with Ed Hill, self-described grandfather of the Pulling Together movement, to plan a one-day event for the youth.
And after a month and a half of planning and hard work by White and Hill, the plan came to fruition on Sept. 17. As luck would have it, for the first time in over two months Mother Nature proved a force to be reckoned with. For a while the hardy folks waiting at Gibsons Marina on Sept. 17 thought the rain might just pass over. But it wasn't to be. However, it would take more than a little rain and metre high swells to discourage these brave youth and their adult pullers.The day was designed to give the young people a taste for a longer Pulling Together, including traditional First Nations teaching as well as learning how to paddle the big canoes.
After a traditional First Nations blessing of the canoes by Lil'wat elder Seis'lom, a smudge ceremony was undertaken. During the ceremony, sage or other leaves are burned and the smoke passed over one's body.
"Smudge is a medium we use to purify ourselves. We don't buy it - we get it from nature. We come into this world with nothing, we leave it with nothing. With the smudge we ask the Creator to take pity on us and keep us safe," Seis'lom said.After chopping their way over to Keats Island, the three canoes went ashore at Plummers Cove for an opportunity for everyone to get to know one another. Seis'lom continued his lessons on the importance of respecting the environment. Aboriginal peoples believe the world around them is made up of their ancestors. Therefore, one doesn't merelytake from the environment without giving thanks and acknowledging the importance of those who have gone before.
In addition to Seis'lom, several people from Squamish and the Lower Mainland helped to make the day a success.Dan O'Donovan from the Vancouver Police Department and Flint from the Squamish Nation both brought canoes over to the Sunshine Coast on short notice. Bruce Ballingall from the New Westminster Police Department came over just to pull with the kids for the day.
In addition to Hill, several local RCMP members and Coast Pulling Together alumni helped make the day special.Wes Nahanee of the Squamish Nation was also a big part of the trip. He has high regard for the youth on the Coast and was particularly proud of the group that completed the pull on Sunday.
He congratulated them on their courage and strength. In spite of the miserable weather not one person griped. In fact the only complaints from the kids were that they had wanted to stay out longer.
The day rounded out with a magnificent salmon feast, complete with home baking and a tasty cake donated by SuperValu.
Other local business people and organizations that supported the Pulling Together team were the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents, Elaine Kupka of Re/Max, the kind folks from Gibsons Fish Market, Norm and Betty Masson for providing the boat escort and Grace Paull and her partner Carl. Their generosity made a magical day possible.
