Last Saturday’s coming out party in Pender Harbour for Sechelt First Nation was amazing, disturbing, magical, menacing. In short, it was a Stanley Kubrick movie.
My favourite image was of Chief Calvin Craigan just before I left. I went back into the hall to say goodbye to him. He was standing in the kitchen talking to some of his people, of the non-band persuasion. He had food in both hands — those delectable Sechelt Nation stuffed pastries, one in each — and he laughed when he saw me. I laughed too. His natty black tunic reminded me of Elvis. Can you say Calvis?
During the program, hereditary chief Garry Feschuk took repeated shots at the media for not giving all the facts. It became disquieting. Later on, though, he walked over to the media corner and spoke kindly to us, the little tribe of scribes that formed stage left, close to the exit. Besides yours truly representing Coast Reporter, there was Brian Lee of the Harbour Spiel, Sean Eckford of 9.17 Coast FM, and Rik Jespersen of The Local. Coast TV was also somewhere around.
Garry told us he considered us his friends. I told him that I thought I could speak for all of us in saying we don’t go looking for conflict. Conflict, in fact, usually comes looking for us.
I also reminded him of our first meeting, when I pointed out the crow in shíshálh mythology was the collector of stories and maker of mischief. Sometimes they just go together.
Garry’s son Steve was the messenger last Saturday, the one appointed to drill the real history of his people into the ears and hearts of the Penderites. Given the immensely sensitive nature of the history Steve was sharing, I understand why the format didn’t include a Q&A. There was some expectation in the community, however, that more details on the band’s plans for Pender would be forthcoming.
This led to some ill feelings at the meeting, which was unfortunate — because the Sechelt put on a good event, complete with fantastic songs, food that makes a chief fill both hands, and an incredibly rich telling of the history of this region’s original people. It’s human to want more, but in this case, really?
Calvin was already laughing during his closing remarks, partly about the fact that everyone had to listen so long to elder Jamie Dixon. Among other stories, Jamie recounted how he won his traditional woven hat in a Prince Rupert lottery after buying only one ticket.
In his speech, Calvin said he’d already set up meetings with Penderites and Halfmoon Bayers. He was gearing up for the Pender OCP. “I take it very seriously, the values and interests of all of our people. When I say all of our people, I mean all of you,” he told the crowd, who gave him a really thunderous round of applause.
An RCMP vehicle was parked at a discreet distance outside, just in case.
As I walked by the Mounties, I told them it was OK back there.
I walked on and a crow flew right over my head towards Fisherman’s Wharf.
I tell you it was Kubrick.
