by
Brian Tate
Ha-shilth-sa Northern Region Reporter
July 2, 2004
Somass RIver - A very hot and sunny June 19th saw approximately 1200 people witness the first canoe races on the Somass River in several decades. The Hupacasath Frist Nation put out a canoe race challenge to all Nations and was met with 10 teams answering the call.
The teams included the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation ( Miss Yawa, Kwisa-Quilth-Naas), Port Alberni City Hall employees, NTC meployees, Tseshaht Determination, Port Alberni Friendship Centre, West Coast Dragon Boat Society (Flying Dragons), Ahousaht First Nation, RCMP and the hosts Hupacasath First Nation.
"I am grateful you all came out today to witness this event. I am so pleased that the weather is with us and you are here with us so lets all have fun," said Hugh Watts.
"You are an incredible sight," said Judith Sayers. "We want to make this a yearly event to see who is the most skilled with their canoes, I want to just say over and over Klecko, Klecko, Klecko. And welcome to the races," she said.
"We accept your challenge. We have travelled many miles and we are not even tired yet. Thank you for the invite," said Rod Sam of Ahousaht.
"Thank you all for coming, and we hope to give you a run for your money," said the Hupacasath canoe team.
Several teams that had entered into these races were having to borrow a spare Hupacasath canoe or a Tla-o-qui-aht canoe when either team had an idle canoe between races.
The first round of races saw RCMP lose to Hupacasath, TFN Miss Yawa defeat PAFC, Ahousaht lose to the Flying Dragons, PA City Hall lose to TFN Kwisa-Quilth-Naas, and NTC lose to Tsesaht Determination. After this round a break was taken so the paddlers could rehydrate themselves from the heat.
The next few rounds saw some incredible times like 4:02 for the Flying Dragons who went undefeated through the day but did not have the fastest time of the day.
A dragon boat is built to have 20 paddlers, one drum person and a rudder man so their boat was extremely long compared to the West Coast style canoes.
The fastest time went to TFN Kwisa-Quilth-Naas who posted 3:59 and with only seven paddlers.
TFN Kwisa-Quilth-Naas had paddled three races in a row facing PA City Hall, Tseshaht Determination, and TFN Miss Yawa before finally losing to the Flying Dragons in the final heat.
The top three canoes were TFN Miss Yawa 3rd, TFN Kwisa-Quilth-Naas 2nd, and the Flying Dragons 1st. The Best Costume trophy went to PAFC, and The Most Sportsmanlike Team went to PA City Hall.
"I want to thank Hupacasath for inviting us here and I want to thank my crew for coming here and trying very hard. These races today were for my dad Alex Frank. I also want to thank Tin-Wis Best Western for sponsoring us to be here today," said Arnold Frank for TFN Miss Yawa.
"I would also like to thank Hupacasath for inviting us today, we also had fun and enjoyed these races. I would also like to dedicate these races to my grandfather Alex and thank Tin-Wis Best Western for sporsoring us as well," said Ivy Robinson for TFN Kwisa-Quilth-Naas.
"I want to say as well thank you for inviting us here today, we also had a lot of fun," said Donna Gaetz of the Flying Dragons.
"I want to once again thank everyone for coming out and especially thank all the canoe teams that were able to make it. I hope to see you all again next year," asid Judith Sayers.
In addition to the
canoe races there were many tables of arts and crafts, smoked fish and
upsqwii, and all sorts of refreshments along River Road. Down at the old
Hupacasath Band Office there were barbequed salmon dinners, hot dogs and
hoagies. The craft store belonging to Choo-Kwa Adventures has a sale on
their crafts and Hupacasath held a silent auction. Performing for the
people on a portable stage were the Ha-Huu-Payuk dancers and Ed (Tat)
Tatoosh's blues band had people dancing on the road.
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Copyright Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper, published by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. Reproduction of this article or photographs, in whole or in part, is illegal without the written consent of Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper (hashilth@nuuchahnulth.org)
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