By Joe Akerman and Asiyah Raesha
Q’ushin’tul’ means “walking with one another” in Hul’q’umi’num, a name describing our annual re-tracing of ancestral pathways, as a way to strengthen Quw’utsun and Coast Salish connection to culture, lands, waters, people and all of our living relations.
While each year takes a different shape, our walk and gatherings are grounded in the fundamental themes of unity, belonging, family and peace.
Q’ushin’tul’ is an ancestral vision received by Quw’utsun Elder Qwiyahwultu-hw (Robert George) and his family, who often lead multi-generational, land-based, cross-cultural work. This marks the seventh year of this ancestors walk. Quw’utsun and Coast Salish food, stories, songs and ceremony are shared during the Q’ushin’tul’ gathering.
This year’s Q’ushin’tul’ walk is once again at full capacity, and will take place from May 21 to May 24. The walk will begin at the Lhumlhumuluts’ village of Xwaaqw’um (Burgoyne Bay) and we will spend the first day walking together up Hwmet’utusum (Mount Maxwell). The second day we will continue walking with one another on our way to Shiya’hwt (Ganges) where we will camp for the final two nights. On the third day we will journey around town to assisted-living facilities to share songs and prayers. And on our last day we will come together with the wider community at the Farmers’ Institute for a potluck brunch, cultural sharing and ideally integrating our shared work within the broader community.
You are invited to join us at the Farmers’ Institute, rain or shine, on Sunday, May 24. Please bring a potluck dish or item to share, cutlery and plates, and camp chair or blanket.
Schedule: 10:15 a.m. shuttle bus pickup (from Centennial Park); 10:30 a.m. doors open; 11 a.m. opening talk; 11:30 a.m. potluck brunch; 12 to 1:30 p.m. sharing by Elders, knowledge keepers and Q’ushin’tul’ walkers about protocols and unifying relationships with all of our collective relations here on Salt Spring and beyond.
All individuals, families, cultures and communities living on Coast Salish territory are invited to join us at our Sunday potluck to listen, learn and witness! Learn more at qushintul.ca.