His dream was to carve a cedar
canoe to join the tribal journey to Victoria's
Commonwealth Games, but Bill Helin never expected
his treasured Raven's Song would again be honoured
at the 2010 Olympic Games.
Ten men were needed Tuesday to help unload the
540-kg canoe from a gillnetter and carry it to
Canada Place for a welcoming ceremony at the Pan
Pacific Vancouver Hotel.
The canoe, carved out of 600-year-old cedar, is the
centrepiece of an aboriginal village called
Kla-how-ya, meaning "Welcome," which will transform
the hotel's atrium lobby Feb. 12-28.
The 16-day showcase of aboriginal art, performances
and culture is free to residents and visitors during
the 2010 Games.
"This is definitely the journey of a lifetime," said
Helin, a Tsimshian artist. "I never envisioned this
canoe ever portaging, let alone going up the
escalators."
Helin conducted the traditional blessing of the
canoe, drumming the spirit of the raven song into
the territory of the Squamish Nation, outside Canada
Place. Other first nations members, dressed in
traditional garb and carrying paddles, drummed and
sang along with him.
"Thank you for letting us be on your territory,"
Helin said. "We're honoured to be here to share out
art, our spirit, our creativity through our
culture."
Squamish Nation Chief Bill Williams and
representatives of several B.C. first nations,
joined by a group of Pan Pacific chefs, carried the
12-m canoe from the Canada Place street entrance to
the atrium's lobby.
There were a few tricky bits navigating the boat up
the double escalators, but they eventually got it to
the top, prompting applause from dozens of
onlookers.
"It's within our hearts to recognize who we are and
where we come from," Williams said.
The hotel lobby rang out with the sounds of native
song and drumming while two first nations women
danced on the stage by the canoe.
Tim Tindle, of the Pan Pacific, said there will be
aboriginal exhibits every day during the Olympics.
This will include traditional dancing, cedar bark
weaving, birchbark chewing, moosehide tufting,
jewelry-making and storytelling. There will also be
an opportunity to explore the harvesting of wild
herbs for traditional medicines.
Tindle said it is the first time indigenous people
have been recognized as host partners in an Olympic
Games.
The Raven's Song, which was carved by members of
various first nations artists, was repainted before
it was brought to Vancouver.
"You just can't imagine your vessel as part of the
Olympics," Helin said, but added: "She was ready to
come out. It's a journey that keeps carrying on."
The canoe was donated in 1995 to the Ravensong
Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach.
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