Our friends, Nicky and John, are long time mariners that have traveled from Nova Scotia down the East Coast to the Caribbean. Currently, they are spending a second season in Belize near the Rio Dulce.
The first and last night we visited Ahousat. The name means where the people-with –their –backs-to-the-mountains live. We explored the village enjoying the dugout canoe that the band had taken to Victoria and on to Seattle last year. The band’s totem was very interesting. The top figure tells that this is an eagle clan. Directly below the eagle is a whale’s eyes and his tale is at the base of the totem. I am not certain of the significance of the man. I would recommend The Forest Lover by Vreeland as an excellent fictional account of the great Canadian artist, Emily Carr. Ms. Carr was understanding and supportive of the First Nation’s people and there is much interesting historical and cultural information.
Four boys from the band visited the boat and insisted on meeting the skipper. We had been warned not to leave the keys in the dinghy or we were likely to provide an opportunity for the village boys to play and practice their skipper skills. They use a small hot springs not far from the boat and regaled us with tribal songs. It was hauntingly beautiful.
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