Tri-coastal Canadian voyage makes landfall at Snaw-Naw-As First Nation

He said their journey highlighted just how old Canada is and how our history stretched for thousands of years before Confederation.

“There’s a whole lot we don’t want to celebrate about the last 150 years. Reconciliation is an important period in our history right now because things like residential schools, relocations and the 60’s Scoop are stories we’ve heard every single day. This is a part of Canadian history which hasn’t been very well told.”

Lawrence Mitchell, a Snaw-Naw-As First Nation councillor, said he and the band were grateful to be part of reconciliation efforts.

“History in the making,” he said. “We’re coming into a more understanding age and learning how to work together and make this a better society for everyone else. It’s wonderful to be recognized in that way.”

The dozens of Canada C3 adventurers split into two groups, one going to Rathtrevor Beach to study and another going to the Spiritual Garden of Healing.

Mitchell said their garden, being built in collaboration with the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute, is an effort to reconnect with their history.

“What we’re working towards is creating awareness for our youth, children, adults and Elders to connect with all of our ancient medicinal ways of healing through the different plants and resources we’ve used since the beginning of time. We haven’t had a lot of connection to a lot of this, we’re still learning who we are and this garden of healing is really going to help our people.”

The Canada C3 expidition is nearly finished. It docked in Nanaimo Saturday afternoon on its way to the final call on Oct. 28 in Victoria.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit

by Spencer Sterritt

Tri-coastal Canadian voyage makes landfall at Snaw-Naw-As First Nation

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