Awakening the Spirit Canoe Project

Named by the energy felt by all who witnessed the 50, 000 lb log brought to the Surrey Art Gallery in the Summer of 2007 to be carved as a 30-foot ocean-going Canoe!

FAQ’s

1. How did this program develop?

Kla-how-eya built on the success of a community carving effort in creating Kla-how-eya’s first canoe Loon Song, which was completed in the summer of 2006. Loon Song, a Nootka style canoe was named in honor of the log harvest area around Loon Lake from the traditional territory of the Katzie First Nation. From a partnership between Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre, Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey Crime Prevention Society, and Katzie First Nation the Awakening the Spirit, canoe carving project in support of Aboriginal youth was underway.

In the summer of 2007 Kla-how-eya partnered with Master carver Mike Dangeli and Mike Dangeli’s House of Culture (a Vancouver based traditional carving studio) to work with youth to carve a Northern Dancer for an ocean canoe journey in 2008.

Awakening the Spirit, is a carving project sponsored by Legacies Now, BC Gaming, the City of Surrey, Surrey Art Gallery and Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre in support of youth at risk from the Aboriginal community. The community has named the project “Awakening the Spirit” in relation to the energy felt when moving the old growth red cedar log from a temporary site in North Vancouver to the carving site at the Surrey Art Gallery.

2. Who is the program for? What age group? How many participants have been involved?

The Awakening the Spirit, canoe carving project is in support of Aboriginal children and youth ages 8 and up.

There were up to 70 youth involved in the project in the paddling and carving and the project has been on public display at the Surrey Art Gallery, for the viewing of over 3000 youth from the Surrey School Districts celebrating National Aboriginal Day as well as over 1500 youth with their families on Family Day at the Surrey Art Gallery.

3. What are the future plans for the program?

There is a Interpretative program being designed for the Surrey School District where the Canoe will Journey through the Surrey School District as a theatrical presentation to promote the cultural awareness, traditional history and healing.

4. What have been your greatest successes in the program thus far?

The Partnership and Supports in coming together for this project, the traditional teaching and sharing of culture, very successful and very well received. The legacy of what the future holds for this canoe.

Awakening the Spirit canoe project embarked on the first Canoe Journey in the summer of 2007 where there were 8 canoes and youth participation of approx 60 youth ages 8 and up.

5. Who developed the description of the program? What was considered when marketing and advertising the program?

The Canoe Project Committee developed the description of the program, the committee members consist of Kla-how-eya, Surrey Art Gallery & Surrey Crime Prevention.

Careful consideration and consultation went into the marketing of the project such as; the Consultation phase for the Aboriginal Cultural content, having the project as a public display and making it accessible to the general public.