Sleep Ceremony West Van. Police Canoe: Ch’ich’iyuy

 2019 Sleep Ceremony for our West Vancouver Police canoe:  Ch’ich’iyuy.

 

WHERE: Joe Mathias Centre, 100 Lower Capilano Rd.

WHEN: Wednesday December 4, 2019 @ 1100 hours.

 

Refreshments and light snacks will be served after Ceremony.

 

It is a longstanding and cherished tradition of our partners in the Squamish Nation to formally close the canoe season and put Ch’ich’iyuy to sleep. The ceremony will feature members of the Squamish Nation, West Vancouver Police and community members who make up the Ch’ich’iyuy canoe family. This culturally rich ceremony will feature prayers, music and dancing.

 

Our canoe carries the ancestral name for the west peak of the mountains known to generations of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh as the Sisters, more recently called the Lions.  The peaks represent twin sisters celebrated in ancient Squamish teaching for persuading their father to end conflict with the Haida.  

 

Our canoe is about continuing to foster the partnership built over many years with First Nations communities we serve.

 

Here's a YouTube link for our first Awakening ceremony (which we do in the Spring) and a bit of the backstory of the canoe:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH1F3KbTxkE

 

I look forward to seeing you all there!

 

 

Cst. Nicole Braithwaite 257

(Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Community Policing/School Liaison Officer