There was a Truth and Reconciliation ceremony at Gorge Harbour on Monday, September 30. It consisted of sacred songs and sharing experiences, as well as Chief Steven Brown’s perspectives on how the Klahoose are reclaiming their present and their future.
Continue reading Truth and Reconciliation Ceremony on Cortes IslandEditor’s note: At one time in their remote prehistory, all the Salish peoples are believed to have spoken a single proto-Salish language. There are now 23 Salishan languages. The Northern Coast Salish nations (Homalco, Klahoose, K’omoks and Tla’amin) speak Ayajuthem (Éy7á7juuthem), while the Tsleil-Waututh and other Coast Salish Nations from Lower Mainland speak Halkomelen (hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓).
By Mina Kerr-Lazenby, North Shore News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Crafted from a food source that was abundant, varied and rich in nutrition, the diet that the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) had prior to the arrival of settlers was worlds away from what it is now.
New research between the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the University of British Columbia uses archeological records and Indigenous oral histories to piece together what was on the menu between 1000 CE and European contact in approximately 1792 CE.
Continue reading What did the Tsleil-Waututh people eat 500 years ago?Editor’s note: Fish traps like this would also have been used by other Ayajuthem speaking peoples (The Klahoose, Homalco and First Nations) who have a shared ancestry with the K’ómoks First Nation. These are the most northern Coast Salish Nations.
By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As a child, Pamela Mitchell recalls her father telling her about the ancient fish traps on the shoreline of K’ómoks territory, near her home.
As she learned about the traps, which were used over generations by her ancestors, and their corresponding posts sticking out of the water, she recalls her dad telling her, “don’t touch! They are very old!”
Continue reading Centuries-old Pentlatch fish trap panel connects K’ómoks, Qualicum people to their ancestors
Once or twice a year, visitors are given an opportunity to ‘gumboot’ into the natural and human history of Mansons Lagoon. This is a joint event put on by the Cortes Island Museum and Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI). Jane Newman provides the glimpse into the lagoon’s past. In the following article, Cortes Currents supplemented her account with materials from the Museum and additional genealogical records found on the web.
Jane’s account started with a description of Mansons Spit during the precolonial era.
Continue reading Gumbooting Through The History Of Mansons LagoonThe renovations at Gorge Harbour Marina are finished. This has been much more than a facelift. It includes a new water system, upgraded septic and electric systems, yet the face of the resort has also been dramatically improved. The RV sites, campsites, much of the grounds and internal layout of the lodge have all been redesigned. Six new visitor domes, 2 cooking stations, a new massage hut, a new bridge across the creek and a food truck have been added.
There is one big decision remaining. Will QXMC, the business arm of the Klahoose First Nation, build a restaurant to take the place of the former Floathouse restaurant? General Manager Marco Bedetti says a decision is imminent and, for now, the food truck serves the resort’s needs.
The last three months at the resort have been a success story, which Bedetti insists starts at the board level.
Continue reading Gorge Harbour Marina Renovations Completed
