By ERIC EGGERTSON

THE SQUAMISH
Indian Band have a
longhouse once again.

On Feburary .26, about
1,100 people. natives and
white guests, crammed into
the smoke-filled Khapilano
Longhouse to watch and
Participate in dancing and
the Indian naming of Chief
Joe Mathias. Coast Salish
Indians, from Squamish to
Oregon, Interior Salish from
the Fraser Valley, and West-

and witness the naming.

Cameras and tape
recorders are not allowed
into the longhouse, but some
non-Indians were invited to
the ceremony. They reacted
with surprise. “It was hard
for them to believe that our
culture was still so strong
with the Squamish people
being so close to the city,”
says band Council chairman
Dave Jacobs, “and that our
culture is still so strong and
is practised.”

The new longhouse looks
almost ordinary from the
outside. Except for the
smoke holes in the roof, it
could be just another
gymnasium or arena. But
inside the building you
appreciate the spirituality
and solemness of the place.

On reserve land east yf the
Capilano River, it is the
spiritual gathering place for
the Squamish Band. “It’s a
sacred place,” says band
member Ted Seward, “so we

don't let too many (non-
Indians) in.”
The longhouse’ was

designed to combine the
comforts and safety features

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of modern construction with
the traditional look and
function of the longhouse.
The long, cavernous
building is made of wood
with an earth floor. There
are two fire pits dug into the
floor, the smoke rising to the
roof and escaping through

smoke holes designed to é

keep rain from flowing in.

Bleachers ring the dancing
floor, and in keeping with
band building codes, the
ceiling trusses have been
coated with fire retardant.
The longhouse, like the
Squamish band, is a mix of
new and old. There’s even a
bing.

During the winter the
longhouse is the scene--of
ceremonial dancing. It also
serves as a meeting place for
band gatherings, and the
band plans to hold art shows
there.
previous longhouses on the
present site. The new
building cost $300,000, paid
for through fire insurance
and band fundraising.

A longhouse, built in
1870, was originally on the
west side of the river, but to
escape the encroachment of
white culture, the band
moved the site of their
ceremonial dancing to
Squamish. The government
brought in what are called
The Potlatch Laws in 1911,
prohibiting native religious
ceremonies.

Indians were not allowed
to assemble for reasons
other than Christian
rehgious ceremonies.

But the Squamish band
have kept their language and
their culture.

ae

STANDING PROUDLY outside their new long-
house are the longhouse committee: (left to right)
Virginia Jacobs, Ted Seward, Andrea Jacobs,
Jackie Seward, Bonnie Jacobs, building con-
sultant Jack Egger, and Chairman of Squamish
Band Council Dave Jacobs. No pictures could be
taken .inside the longhouse which is sacred
ground, but it has a dirt floor and two fire pits.
The $300,000 longhouse will be used for dancing
ceremonies and band meetings.

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