Back to the Clam Gardens (original) (raw)

up the rest of our party. We had been planning this trip for many months-the first of a series to be undertaken over the next two years to document Kwaxsistalla's unique and detailed knowledge and experiences of the food harvesting and other resource-based activities of his Qawadiliqalla Clan of the Tsawataineuk people of Kingcome Inlet. Kim Recalma-Clutesi coined the name "Singing Through the Seasons", because for every activity in Kwaxsistalla's memory, no matter where it took place, there was a song that went with it. Over many years of working together, he had shared many of his recollections, songs and stories with us. But now, to actually travel with him over the water to the sites where he himself learned the songs-many from his grandfather-as a small child, this was the chance of a lifetime for all of us. Under a drizzling sky that soon turned to hail, our boat headed alongside Quadra Island. Although the day was overcast, our sense of adventure was high. Before long, large flakes of snow began to fall. "Q'wistiyala! (It's snowing)!" Kwaxsistalla said, and explained to us that it often snows like this at this time of year. "Olaxstyála! (It's really snowing now)!" And, "páqwmaxala* (big snowflakes) are coming down." We watched along the shore, where the evergreens were drooping over the water. Kwaxsistalla pointed out the long line of dense boughs, cut off by the highest tide, extending all over the coast. This line, called wáwelgamix (high water mark), scarcely noticed by most of us, is an indicator for the people who live and work along the coast of the level above which goods can be safely stowed and will not be touched by even the highest tide.