TSLEIL-WAUTUTH NATION :: Under the Volcano 2004

3204 years ago Tsleil-Waututh Nation ancestors paddled the waters off Whey-ah-Wichen (Cates Park). They hunted and gathered, living in harmony with the local environment for thousands of years.

87 years ago as the local forests were cut down, the Dollar Mill established operations and created a settlement (Dollar’s Town) for its workers. The route to the outside world was, for the most part, by way of the Burrard Inlet.

85 years ago the Cedarside Mill was established nearby, at what is now Little Cates Park.

74 years ago the Dollarton highway was built as an economic development tool to connect Dollarton with North Vancouver and Vancouver. At the same time, a squatter community was established at Roche Point, which is now the shoreline of Cates Park.

50 years ago one of Canada’s most famous authors was forced out of his North Vancouver "paradise.” Malcolm Lowry wrote one of the finest books of the 20th Century during his 14-year intermittent residency in the “Lazy Bay” squatter community.

46 years ago the last of the 90 squatter’s homes were demolished at Roche Point and adjacent Lazy Bay.

45 years ago bulldozers and workers developed Cates Park, with grass fields, paths, and boat launch.

35 years ago thousands of youth gathered in Cates Park from around North America to initiate a new form of cultural gathering—to protest and to drop out. The Pleasure Faire was a counterculture event with music, performance, politics, and artisans.

33 years ago the squatter settlement at Maplewood Flats was burned down to make way for a proposed shopping centre.

15 years ago another generation of youth gathered in Cates Park to celebrate youth culture and political issues and broke new ground with cross-cultural and interdisciplinary work.

4 years ago the North Vancouver District and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation formally signed a Cates Park / Whey-ah-Wichen protocol / cultural agreement.

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation once numbered thousands throughout their territories. This expanse is now referred to as Vancouver, the North Shore, and the entirety of Indian Arm.

Cates Park, or Whey-ah-Wichen, was one of these villages. An archaelogical investigation was made by the North Vancouver District, in consultation with the Tsleil-Waututh, and found Cates Park to be one of the few remaining large archaeological sites in the Lower Mainland. Resting in the earth at the Under the Volcano Festival are artifacts from the Tsleil-Waututh Peoples. Many of these were stolen by treasure-seekers

digging in Cates Park during the 1950-90 period, including household implements and tools. In 1999, human remains were discovered where the shore is being eroded by the tide. These were found to be some 300 years old.

The Nation’s use of the Park goes beyond an archaelogical forum, but is centred in member’s daily and annual activities. Community celebrations such as traditional canoe races (held in the 1990s) bring out the community as it hosts other Salish Nations, and First Nations from around the continent. Some efforts have been made to restore representation of Tsleil-Waututh culture in the Park, including installed work by artist Damien George, a new entrance sign by Glen George, and proposed work by Mark George.

Under the Volcano has embarked on a new initiative, “Whey-ah-Wichen Cultural Heritage Project” to better connect settlers and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. We are currently fundraising for the installation of a permanent sculpture by a Nation artist in recognition of a new Cates Park joint-management agreement Whey-ah-Wichen - Facing the Wind - Community Art Project

Whey-ah-Wichen - Facing the Wind - Community Art Project

between the Nation and the District of North Vancouver.

Feast on a traditional salmon dinner prepared on the barbeque. All proceeds benefit a community program of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

1, 2, 3, and 4pm (program repeats four times) This program offers the authentic First Nation experience of water travel in traditional style ocean-going canoes. Learn about the area while enjoying a 45-minute leisurely paddle on the ocean waters off Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park with our First Nation’s guides.

This is a special reduced-price offer from Under the Volcano and Takaya Tours (www.takayatours.com) and is designed to introduce our Festival patrons to the legends of the area and the cultural history of Burrard Inlet (Typical tours are 2-5 hours in length and $50-150 in price). Pre-register to hold seats for you and your friends and family by emailing: info@whey-ah-wichen.org, include your name, contact information, number of seats, and preferred time. Payment by cash at the time of departure. Adults: $16.05 (includes GST); children (12 + under) $5.35 (includes GST). Meet the group at the Takaya Tours booth at the Festival, situated between the Food Fair and Info Fair. Following an orientation, we will proceed as a group to the Boat Launch.

2:45pm Tsleil-Waututh Artist and father, Damien George, shares stories for children in the Volcano Kid’s Zone.

3:40pm Performing on the Festival MainStage (*For details read the artists bios)

4:30pm Kids & adults alike will enjoy this walkabout through the forest with our guide, Damien George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Listen to ancient knowledge and wisdom of traditional methods used for identifying and harvesting indigenous flora & fauna. (approx. 75 minutes)