Howe Sound Stories
There are so many stories told around Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound, throughout history, the seasons, shifting weather and tides. Stories through language and drawings. Marine life that appears and those which remain hidden. The shorelines we explore, the water we play in and the life sustaining habitats.
So grateful and honoured to share my voice, woven together with others, sharing theirs.
With each message and action, we ourselves create a wave. Multiplied by many, beautiful waves of change.
CONVERSATION EXCERPT - WITH ART HARRY & LENNY RUBENOVITCH
I had the pleasure and luck of meeting Art Harry a few months back. I asked about the symbol on his shirt. A Thunderbird, and we introduced ourselves. I was thrilled as Art had just been working with the students at my youngest daughter’s school. A series of serendipitous events led me to connecting with Art and Lenny Rubenovitch, who I’d met through the 2017 Social Venture Challenge, hosted by Whistler Centre for Sustainability.
I’m so excited about what Art & Lenny are doing with their Paddle Making Workshops, connecting adults and youth, through their shared love of working with wood and telling its story. The paddle, so symbolic of the history here on Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound for the Coast Salish Peoples and the Squamish Nation, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. What a gift for Art to be sharing this part of himself and indigenous wisdom, so that we can all grow in care for the land that we are living on.
HAVE A READ
Participants form paddles and bonds in Squamish paddle-making workshop - Squamish Chief
Squamish carver to share his knowledge in paddle-making workshop - Squamish Chief
I was honoured for Art to share some of his story and his humour with me. Art’s personal experience in an eleven man canoe, 65 feet long, dates back to 1976. He was around 15 years old at the time and would pull from the Mamquam Blind Channel to Watts Point and back again. He hopes for many generations of paddling with his daughter, grandson and perhaps a great grandchild to carry on the tradition. Art shared that the old canoe is still around and needs renovating. I’m so curious about this and would love to see it restored.
Lenny and Art were introduced by Eric Anderson, who Art went to high school with. This dynamic duo applied for and received the grant for the paddle project, now in its 2nd year. Lenny and Art raised over $1500 through program donations and an auction that went to youth programs for Squamish Nation and Foundry Squamish Centre.
Wood has been donated and they are using Red Cedar for its wider grain and because it has more oil. Participants need to commit to the program for a few days a week, over 3-4 weeks. Youth get to cut the moat with an opportunity for the paddle to be carved and painted. Looking for youth, ages 14-18 for this program starting soon.
Art shared the great importance of Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound. “Elders called Atl’ka7tsem our highway and would paddle 2-3 days to get to Vancouver in a Seagoing Paddle Canoe, making stops along the way for fresh water and places to eat. To visit different tribes for drumming.”
UPCOMING YOUTH & ADULT PROGRAMS
CONNECT TO Portage Paddle Workshop TO FIND OUT WHEN AND HOW TO REGISTER
For More Information about talented artist, Lenny Rubenovitch and his knowledge and love of working with wood. Rubenovitch Furnishings
CONNECT TO Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound
A great way to connect to the ocean safely with a paddle, and explore the wonder of Howe Sound is with Tina Currie of Coastal Stoke SUP Squamish and Norm Hann Expeditions
HEART OF HOWE SOUND
There are many ways that we can enjoy this amazing watershed that we live near to and around. With some true Sea to Sky and BC inspiration, check out the views with these 4 videos of Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound, from My Sea to Sky
TATIANA LEE - A PERSONAL STORY
Writer and ocean advocate, grateful to call unceded traditional territory of Skwxwuu7mesh Uxwumixw home.
To me, Howe Sound represents hope and the capacity to heal. These waters were once, not so long ago, considered among the most contaminated in the world. Runoff from the old mine in Britannia Beach made parts of Howe Sound a biodiversity ghost town, a dead zone. Industrial activity in the Squamish estuary damaged key estuary habitat for local and migrating wildlife.
Now, a few decades later, Howe Sound is bouncing back. We are documenting marine species here we thought might never return, and even discovered rare cold water coral species unique to Howe Sound. Much of the Squamish River estuary is now protected and industrial activities have all but ceased in many of the most sensitive habitats. Local groups have restored estuary habitat, fostered nursery areas for salmon and herring.
Nature has the capacity to heal, if given the chance. People have the capacity to change and learn when we give them tools and hope. When I look out on the deep blue waters of Howe Sound and the towering mountains that hug her so close, I see hope. I see a place where humans are learning new ways to belong with the natural world.
This is what Howe Sound means to me. This is why I call her home.
LET’S HAVE A LOOK
Bob Turner has a really unique way of telling stories and giving us a view through a slightly different lens. Slow down a little and journey through some areas that you may be really familiar with and take in a whole lot of information.
Bob Turner Video: Squamish River Estuary, Skwelwil'em, Atl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound
Learn more about the Squamish Estuary with Squamish River Watershed Society
Have a browse through Bob’s videos on youtube for all kinds of Howe Sound inspiration! He truly captures the magic and his love of Howe Sound, above and below the surface of the water.
HOPE IN HOWE SOUND
The videography is stunning and the images of these orcas, so amazing. Bob’s narration raises our awareness. “What would it take to make these whales, truly our neighbours?”
Map, courtesy of Marine Reference Guide. Check out this incredible project!
INTERACTIVE MAP - Howe Sound/Átl’ḵa7tsem Marine Reference Guide
I reside on the unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and am grateful to share my voice for Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound