Carrying Our Teachings

Summer days on Vancouver Island are truly magical. As someone who spent most of her life on the prairies, I never tire of the beauty and pristine nature of this incredible place. One of my favourite summer pastimes is exploring the crisp, clean rivers – finding new access points and floating in the gentle currents. I bring along my chair, a book, and some snacks,  and soak into the warm summer sunshine (with a thick coat of SPF 50, of course!).

So, a few weeks ago on Canada Day, when I found myself wondering what to do with myself, I was grateful to receive a message from my friend, George Harris Jr.. George generously extended an invitation for me to spend the afternoon with him, his statlus, Becca, and their niece down at the river in Halalt.

I had been to this access point once before, many years ago. It was during my early days providing services in Halalt, and my friend and colleague Kim (Lyackson) had taken me off the main road and down a winding side road to the river. It was beautiful – a sharp cliff wall on one side, and a bank that transitioned from shallow to deep very quickly. We didn’t go into the water that day, but I’ll never forget the words Kim shared with me: “This is a private spot for community members only. Please don’t come here on your own. You need to be invited.”

And so, when George invited me, I was excited. I packed my bag, got in my car, and met him and his crew in front of the health centre. I then followed them down the winding road, weaving between immense cedars, grateful to have a guide as we navigated the unfamiliar trails. Along the way, I noted the many signs posted in the trees: “Private Property. No Trespassing.” They were numerous.

When we arrived, we gathered our supplies and headed to the bank. I noticed another family already there. A woman from their group approached me and my dog to say hello and ask what breed she was. She was unfamiliar to me, but that isn’t saying much – I don’t know everyone in Halalt. I knew George would, though, so as she walked away, I asked him who she was. “I have no idea,” he replied. This troubled me.

As the day wore on, more people joined their party. Community members and their families arrived as well, but this unfamiliar family remained downstream, separate. It felt odd in my belly, and I wondered why they were there.

Later, George and I connected about the day, and we both felt it could be a learning opportunity for others looking for new places to cool off in the summer. George shared his reflections below:

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On Canada Day, I chose to spend my day with my family down at the river in Halalt – a place that means the world to me. This is the community my mother comes from, and I spent much of my childhood here, swimming with my cousins and enjoying the warmth of the season. We invited Kim to join us, and she happily agreed.

When we got to the river, we noticed an unfamiliar family already sitting off to the side. As we stayed longer, more joined their group, none accompanied by our people. Kim was confused, and I reassured her: she was acting in the right way by following the teachings shared with her. I encouraged her to continue honouring what she had been told.

This reminded me of when Sean Burke and I first became friends. I invited him to a jam session at our community school. He met me at the band office, and we drove down together. After the jam, I offered to show him around the community, sharing stories and pointing out the beauty of our land. And I gave him the same teaching Kim had received: “Do not come down here unaccompanied by a community member.”

You might wonder why this teaching exists. At its heart, it’s about respect, safety, and care. We want to protect our guests on our land from harm, and we can vouch for them when they’re with us. Our beaches and waters carry deep meaning – they hold our memories, our pride, and our connection to our ancestors. When outsiders enter without permission, it can feel like yet another small piece of what we’ve fought to keep is slipping away.

It’s no different than someone entering your private property without asking – you would feel protective and want to ask them to leave. For our people, it is the same when we see people on our lands who have not been invited or accompanied.

So here is my gentle reminder: if someone from our community tells you not to go into a space alone, even if you see others doing so, please honour that teaching. Just because others are trespassing does not mean it is okay for you to do the same.

There may be times when you are asked to leave, and times when no one says anything. Either way, carry yourself with an open heart and an open mind. If you are asked to leave, please do so with respect and honour.

Huy ch q’u – Thank you

Wholwolet’za – George Harris Jr | Mentor

The day reminded me of how important it is to listen carefully to the teachings shared with me, even when others might not be following them. It’s easy to doubt myself in those moments, but I’m learning that true respect isn’t about what others are doing – it’s about how I choose to carry myself. I left the river feeling grateful for the reminder that invitation is a gift, and that honouring it is part of how I can show my care for this place and the people who call it home.

🧡 Kim