Ha7lh skwáyel (Good Day),
It has been a busy and grounding few days for our People, and we want to share an update with Community regarding Notcho.
In recent months the Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ (Rights & Title) Department has been building its relationship with both the Canadian Coast Guard and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). This has included sharing knowledge about the deep importance of whales in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) history and culture.
It is our understanding Notcho, a male humpback whale, was hit and hit killed by a BC Ferry on October 18. His remains were discovered near Gambier Island on October 26. Because of these relationships, Notcho was brought to our Territory so we could care for his remains in accordance with our laws.
Bringing the remains of whales home is an important step in honouring our marine relatives and continuing our cultural practices. We quickly had to assemble several teams to carry out this work. This was a multi-disciplinary effort across several organizations and governments, and there are many people to thank.
First, to our Knowledge Keepers and Elders, thank you for gifting us your teachings. And we’d like to extend a very special thank you to our Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation Elder for traveling to our Territory and guiding us through this process. Thank you to the staff of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) who came together quickly from across departments, including Rights & Title, Language & Culture, Intergovernmental Relations and Strategic Partnerships, Public Safety, Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation, and to the individual members of our Community who also came out to help.
To Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, CN, and CN Police, thank you for walking alongside us at every step of this journey. Receiving a whale in our Territory is a blessing our People have not known for many generations, and we are deeply grateful for your help in making it possible.
Thank you as well to the City of Vancouver, in particular Councillor Sean Orr and new Park Board Commissioner Tʼuyʼtʼtanat-Cease Wyss, as well as Metro Vancouver, Seaspan, and Paladin Security. And thank you to all our allies who have taken the time to pay their respects to Notcho.
A dedicated team has been working around the clock with care and respect, to harvest from Notcho what is usable for our People. Everything harvested will be catalogued, stored properly, and distributed throughout Community in accordance with our laws and teachings. We also plan to use Notcho’s skeletal remains for educational and cultural purposes. This process is ongoing, and we will have much more to share in the coming weeks and months.
We also have a responsibility to care for Notcho on his new journey. We will hold a ceremony to mark his final burial on our Territory at a later date. Please continue to check for updates as we say goodbye to our sacred relative.
O’siem,
Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams
Chairperson, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation)