During the first week of October Xwemélch’stn Etsimxwawtxw (Capilano Little Ones) hosted a fish camp for all its students, from pre-kindergarten to Grade 7. The children spent the week learning the traditional Sḵwx̱wú7mesh ways of working with fish from the process of catching to cooking.
The hands-on learning process was guided by our Elders, Fish Guardians, Knowledge Keepers and Community Members. The Nation’s Departments, (including Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ (Rights and Title), its Climate Action Strategy Team, Yúustway (Health), Ayás Mén̓men (Child & Family Services) and Chief Joe Mathias Centre), united together to make Fish Camp a memorable and learning experience for our youngest ones, helping them gain a deeper understanding of how vital fishing and fish preparation is to our way of life as Squamish People.
Special acknowledgements go out to Community Members Lawrence Walker, John Jacobs, Kim Seward, Lori Ring, Nathan Joe, Phillip Nahanee, William Joseph and Camp Coordinator Jessica Walker.
Fish Guardian Supervisor Lauryn Peters was instrumental in making the week a success and spent the entire week supporting the camp.
Another special raising of hands to the team at Chief Joe Mathias and Yúustway for allowing Xwemélch’stn Etsimxwawtxw the use of the kitchen and refrigerators to store and preserve the fish. Yúustway also donated 115 frozen fish for smoking and canning, pressure canners, and a tent.
The united support of the Nation’s departments was invaluable to the success of Fish Camp and the transfer of our Nation’s culture and knowledge to our youngest Members.
