A local project that brought together a number of local groups reached the finishing stages on Thursday. A project to design and build a 3 foot canoe, got its start back in November of 2006, as local Tsimshian artist Russelll Mather and the Friendship House’s Kevin Leach reached out to local schools to get involved. The result of their hard work was unveiled in front of a large crowd of spectators at the Civic Centre on Thursday, part of the Aboriginal Day festivities in the city.
The Daily News featured all the details in their Friday edition.
MANY HANDS HELP TO MAKE CANOE PROJECT A SUCCESS
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, June 22, 2007
Pages one and three
Local Tsimshian artist Russell Mather, along with Friendship House partner Kevin Leach, unveiled the 30-foot canoe project they had been working on during the Aboriginal Day ceremonies yesterday.
With the help of students from all 12 district schools, Mather and Leach finally saw the fruit of everyone's labour in all its glory in front of a packed civic centre crowd.
"Back in November 2006, I was sitting with Russell in the Friendship House, deciding what project to take on next," said Leach in his ceremonial address.
"And we looked at a poster that had the saying We invite you to canoe with us, but learn how we paddle before you try and chance the strokes.'"
At that moment Mather and Leach knew the canoe project was something they wanted to undertake, and after reaching out to all schools in School District 52, they had more than enough help to make it a success.
After more than 700 hours of work and $7,000 in grant money, and many, many coats of paint, Aiyooh (eye oh) was finally complete. The name was chosen by the Friendship House elders, and translates to "one jumping salmon," which is traditionally what First Nations elders say when they see the whale or salmon breach the water.
Mather and Leach hope the project makes a splash by encouraging all those gathered at yesterday's Aboriginal festivities to take a role in preserving the piece, by coming back from time to time to restore the original work. And the many students who helped paint Aiyooh won't soon be forgotten, they all have their handprints painted on its underside.
"We thought the hands on the bottom of the canoe was a great metaphor," said Leach. "So every time it's out on the water, it will have all those hands lifting it up and guiding it along."
"And [the kids] will all have their own stories too," said Mather. "They can say I remember what happened on that day, there's my handprint.' And only so many people can fit in the canoe, so a little piece of all of them will be there on the journey."
The canoe will be stored at the Friendship House when it's not in use, but it is expected to get plenty of use during the summer by the canoe club and at the many re-discovery trips organized by the Friendship House.
Farley Stewart, director of the Friendship House was on-hand to say a few encouraging words yesterday.
Outgoing school district Superintendent Brian Kangas also thanked all the participants for their dedication to the Aiyooh project.
"This project is symbolic of the school districts partnership with the Friendship House, and the many students who helped paint it, but it's also symbolic of learning," said Kangas.
"It's a wonderful partnership and we have many projects we're all very proud of."
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