10 May - Squamish Lil'wat and the Sunshine Coast

Here is a sequence of images illustrating a routine we often go through in the morning when we get up -- making chai tea and coffee. The expert is clearly the chef in charge of the kitchen in this expedition!

As we drove out of our of iOverlander site (we actually found this one and introduced it to iOverlander) we met this fellow munching along the side of the road (we were in our vehicle). He/she was amazing to watch for a few minutes. I uploaded a short video of him/her here.

The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is a beautiful facility offering an enlightening experience. The Squamish and Lil'wat people have a history of conflict but over the last decades and have worked towards unity. This facility is representative of that effort. They are like people around the world where they have learned to live off the land (no choice) and have deep roots based on that understanding. 

We were particularly intrigued with how the cedar tree is an integral part of the lives of both people groups providing much of what they need to live:

This explanation of the uses of the Cedar tree was actually found on our long walk into Skookumchuk Rapids a couple days later. See below for the words on the sign.*

We had booked a ferry across to the Sunshine coast of BC. The ride was only 40 minutes long but spectacular. This is clearly a beautiful country! 

The first vehicles to get off the ferry are the motorcycles. 

We spent some time along the beach of this beautiful town. 

iOverlander gave us the option to stay at a sports facility parking lot in Gibbons. We arrived there at dusk and were met by one of the maintenance guys who came over and said he was closing the gate which wouldn't then be opened until 7:30 in the morning. We said that was okay but then later he came by to say that he closed the gate but didn't lock it so we could get out if we wanted. We enjoyed a great night! 

*Cedar tree explanation. This comes from the Sechelt people, but sounds similar to what we learned from the Squamish - Lil'wat.

Texémay, Nature's Storehouse

Texémay (western red cedar) provided the Sechelt people with the raw materials needed to live comfortably in the west coast wilderness. Every time they harvested a portion of this multipurpose tree they whispered a prayer of thanks.

Outer bark - folded into canoe bailers, also used as fuel.

Inner bark - woven into warm, soft, and water resistant skirts, capes, and hats.

Wood - carved into masks, totem poles, dishes, and dugout canoes. Planks were pried from the trunk to make longhouses.

Roots - wove into watertight baskets.

"To us the cedar is a spiritual tree." Anne Quirin, Sechelt Elder.