For thousands of years the Huu-ay-aht People have traveled the waters around the Barkley Sound and beyond by canoe. It is an important part of the Nations’ history that is still practiced today.
This summer, citizens, staff, and chief and elected and hereditary council are invited to be part of this rich past by carving a canoe with Master Carver Hipolite Williams. This team building initiative is designed to get Team Huu-ay-aht working together on a project that will be a legacy for the Nation.
This staff/Nation building project will immerse everyone involved into Huu-ay-aht’s culture, while becoming part of the Nations’ future.
The main objective of this project is to facilitate a carving project where everyone will carve a canoe together under the guidance of Hipolite. The final product of this project is to have a carved canoe that can be displayed near the Huu-ay-aht Anacla Government Office. The goals of the initiative is to create community cohesion, provide a team building activity for Huu-ay-aht’s government and staff, and perhaps even start training new carvers. Additional objectives are that participants will learn from the Master Carver as they give guidance and direction on how to use the tools, cultural and logistical items for consideration, techniques, history involved with carving, and the symbolism of the art work.
Our goal is to hold an official launching ceremony in September 2017 with a paddle around Pachena River.
Hipolite is already working on the canoe. He can be found during the day with his carving tools in hand, ready to teach and talk people through the process. Everyone is encouraged to come join him and be part of this Huu-ay-aht tradition.