Full Circle - Recovery in Action

February-March 2003

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
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First Nations on both sides of the Canada/ US border experienced devastating impacts on their culture with the coming of Europeans. The legacy of contact included widespread disease epidemics, alcohol and drug abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and government repression.

In recent years, recovery projects have been developed to help address the lasting effects of these problems. In BC, a program developed at Alkali Lake has been a model for others, including the Full Circle Carving Project in Washington State.

The Full Circle Project, developed under the Suquamish Tribal Council, is a cultural as well as a personal recovery program. Its inspiration was the Canoe Journey to a potlatch in Songhees (on southern Vancouver Island) by the Suquamish Tribe. The most significant event was when the Suquamish canoes were welcomed ashore, creating great pride in the young people.

The youth, adults and elders from Suquamish met with other canoe tribes and discussed their cultural needs, and it was determined that a priority for Suquamish should be to obtain the tribe's own cedar canoe.

The Project began in 2001 in North Vancouver, BC with Ray Natrall, Master Carver from the Squamish Band. He had worked on two Rediscovery Projects with his First Nation, giving youth cultural teachings to make positive healthy choices in their lives.

Once completed, the canoe was blessed and named at a potlatch in Suquamish in 2002. The canoe then took part in the Tribal Journeys to Quinalt, on the Pacific coast of Washington State, that summer.

The same year, the second round of the Project took place in Suquamish territory. Ray Natrall came to Suquamish and instructed the apprentices on carving in their home village on the Port Madison Indian Reservation.

The Full Circle Cedar Canoe Carving Project has been a great success, and the Suquamish Tribe hopes to have funding to continue this healing for its people.

For further information, contact Chuck Wagner, CDP Administrator, Suquamish Tribe Wellness Program, Chemical Dependency & Mental Health Services, P.O. Box 1228, Suquamish, WA 98392. Ph: 360-394-5200.

Thanks to Chuck Wagner.