Canoeing in Canada

CRYSTAL WATERS: Students go canoeing at Antler Lake Gold River. Pictures supplied

Ilminster Intermediate School staff Megan Rangiuia, Travis Lapointe and Tim Brown accompanied a group of students on a cultural exchange to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada in June. Here they write about some of the highlights.

Bears, whales and a Canadian mountie — this was the photo challenge set by parents for the group of 17 students from Ilminster Intermediate before their trip to Canada.

Ticking off all three of these was only the tip of the iceberg in what proved to be the trip of a lifetime for these young people.

They were on the go from the moment they landed in Vancouver.

They caught a ferry to Vancouver Island, staying in Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia located on the southern tip of the island, for a few days. They set off for the six hour drive north-west to the town of Gold River where they explored Strathcona Provincial Park — the oldest provincial park in British Columbia.

They hiked in forests with enormous ancient cedars towering above them. Local Gold River Secondary School (the group’s host school) students pointed out culturally modified trees which had been stripped of cedar bark for textiles or basket making.

From here the group went camping at Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, known for its wild scenery.

This was a new experience even for those used to camping. Camping in forests in Canada where bears and cougars live, means having to clear the campground of everything at night including toothpaste, deodorant and food. Bears are attracted to any scent they think might be food. A bear was spotted 200m from their campground on their first morning and wolves were known to be in the area.

Vancouver Island also has the highest population of cougars in the world.

At Meares Island they explored in traditional canoes.

This was an authentic experience with a Nuu-chah-nulth perspective.

They gained insight and a deeper connection to the area. They learned how the cedar was selected to be carved into the canoe they paddled in, and heard stories of the Nuu-chah-nulth people and their whale hunting history and traditions.

Botanical information was shared as well as history and culture and their struggle to retain the environment and its integrity. The drumming and songs presented to the group enriched the experience even more.

The camping trip to Yuquot Island was a highlight. It is also known as Fort San Miguel or Friendly Cove, and has a population of just six people.

The only people who live on the island are the Williams family of the Mowachaht band (tribe), plus two full-time lighthouse keepers, located on Nootka Island in Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This is Mowachaht Muchalaht tribal land.

Camping, drummingThe Ilminster group camped 100 metres from where Captain Cook first made contact. Whales played offshore as one of the masters of First Nation knowledge taught the students drumming and singing.

One of the Ilminster students Hosea Pasene Kairau was acknowledged and gifted with his own drum in recognition of how quickly he learned how to sing and drum.

The trip ended with three days in the city of Vancouver where they went shopping and sightseeing.

The students’ point of view:

“A highlight for me was experiencing parts of their culture and seeing how our cultures connected. I loved the people and especially seeing what their school was like and comparing our lives.” — Amiria Rangiuia Lindup

“The highlights for me were making friends with the First Nations people, playing the drums, the food, the Museum of British Columbia and the Vancouver Aquarium.” — Phoenix Tuhaka

“Seeing a bear was a highlight for me.” - Zarneo Baker

“When I was gifted a drum, it was an amazing moment. I will cherish that forever. I loved the people, they were the most amazing people.” — Hosea Pasene Kairau