For Immediate Release
(Kitsumkalum BC—August 2/2019) —- On July 23, 2019 a Kitsumkalum community member passed away, he was a fisherman for his family. Due to his sudden unexpected passing he was not able to pull in his net and his net was pulled in by the Kitsumkalum Fisheries as soon as they were notified it was still in the water.
“Many family members of the deceased came to help process all that they could handle of the catch while grieving their sudden loss. As the family was planning and preparing for the funeral service and had what they needed, they gifted the remaining fish for social and ceremonial use to the community volunteer group, the Kitsumkalum Events Committee for social and ceremonial use in the upcoming BBQ. The family also knew how much the son of the late community Food, Social and Ceremonial fisherman loved the children’s Christmas party, as his son took part in it and enjoyed seeing Santa at the kids party and receiving a gift.” Says Heather Bohn, Kitsumkalum Communications Lead. The BBQ is set up and run all by community volunteers and any funds raised go towards the children’s Halloween and Christmas party, and towards elder’s activities.
The annual BBQ started in 1987 when 2 crest poles were raised for the first time in 150 years in the community of Kitsumkalum and a BBQ to share food and Kitsumkalum culture with non-indigenous neighbours.
“I hope that the younger people will take this as a go-ahead to [encourage] them… to get into other areas of our culture, like our language, and other ways that our people had lived. We can’t go back to the old ways completely, but there are parts of it that we can use along with today’s way of living… I have to say that it’s a very proud moment for our village… Also for all the people in this area- native people and non-native people alike.” – Clifford Bolton, 1987 Interview on Su-sit’ Aatk, Article for Royal Ontario Museum.
“In explaining Su-sit’ Aatk to the audience, Chief Cliff Bolton of Kitsumkalum said that Canadian Laws have made it difficult for the Tsimshian to retain their culture. This celebration was his generation’s way of telling the children that the next generation will have to be prepared to fight for the survival of their culture.” – Clifford Bolton, 1987 Interview on Su-sit’ Aatk, Article for Royal Ontario Museum.
“The youth during the time of 1987 are now adults, still continuing the cultural revitalization work started back in 1987 and hope the public will still come down to experience Kitsumkalum, Tsimshian culture ceremoniously as we celebrate who we are and work to build stronger ties with our surrounding neighbours.” Says Christina Stanley, Kitsumkalum Events Committee Lead.
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For Media Interview Coordination Contact:
Heather Bohn
Communications Coordinator
Phone: 250-635-6177 ext. 106
Email hbohn@kitsumkalum.bc.ca
Volunteers preparing the the BBQ 2019
1987 Su-sit’ Aatk Pole Raising