44 -— Wednesday, June 17, 1992 - North Shore News Potlatch, luau reunion rekindles Hawalian ties FOR JERRY Nahanee, assistant manager of Mosquito Creek Marina and member of the Squamish Indian Band, June 14 was a date to establish links to almost forgotten branches of his family tree. On that day he attended a potiatch/Iuau at Fort Langley held - in honor of the descendants of the Hawaiians brought over to Canada by the Hudson’s Bay Co. last century. The company needed the Ha- waiians to ‘“‘protect’? the white population in Fort Victoria from the native Indians who were perceived as a threat in the mid- 1830s. The Hawaiians were used because their culture, which was largely water-based, closely mesh- ed with that of the natives. The Hawaiians could swim, dive, pad- dle and were hard workers. They were hired under five-year contracts after which they were free either to return to their home country or renew theiz terms. By Paul Hughes Contributing Writer Today, Joe Nahanee is buried in the Capilano Indian grave yard. Nahanee has spent a significant portion of his time trying to trace details of his unique family histo- ry. The search has lead him ail the way to the National Archives in Ottawa. Some facts and records were fost in a fire in 1917. Others are difficult to trace. ‘But some vital parts of history exist in the memories of his living relatives who gathered at the his- toric event on June !4 from ali - This arrangement lasted until . the 1860s when the English army arrived, and it was decided the Hawaiians were no longer needed. _ Many were provided free passage home. ; A few, however, chose to stay. . Jerry Nahanee’s great great grandfather was one of them. . Joe Nahanee, after. briefly mov- ing to Saltspring Island with 50 other. Hawaiians, eventuaily mov- ed to Burrard Inlet, where he - ‘worked’ for a time in the. old - “Hastings Mill. -: He-married’ Mary Eihu, who came ‘from the Capilano reserve, and ‘in 1869 they lived on a piece /of land fronting Coal Harbour : called the Kanaka Ranch. “COLONY - FEATURES ‘THE ALL NEW POSTUREPEDIC - Only Sealy Posturapedic mattress sets are ” * DESIGNED IN CO-OPERATION WITH LEADING ORTHOPEDIC. “. * SURGEONS to guarantee superior comfort . and longsr lasting support. More comfort. More years. That's a promise! _ Outstanding value COLONY HOME FURNISHINGS § ° 1075 Roosevalt Crescent y ©6-: North Vancouver § (2 blocks behind the Avalon Hotel) - OPEN DAILY; Fit, 9-9; Sun. 12-4 NATIVE AFFAIRS over the province and Washington state. Some 250 people showed up for the potlatch/luau, many of whom discovered previously unknown relations. “They were greatly surprised to find out they weren’t alone,’’ said Nahanee. ‘‘They thought they were the only ones left.’’ As for his own family tree, Nahanee hopes that with the in- formation he collected Sunday, he will have filled in some crucial blanks and added. even more depth to an already colorful piece of local history. Another reunion is being plan- ned for next year at a camp- ground on the banks of the Fraser River near Agassiz. improve your ferry service this summer. | Dear BC Ferries Customers: We know how important your ferry service is to you. We also know that summer tourism can put extra demands on the «” system. The Accelerated Business Management Diploma program begins full-time on July 2, 92. If you are a high school graduate with a minimum of seven years related business experience, we can help you upgrade or change your career and: be job-ready in |- just 10 months. Time is of the essence. CHOOSE FROM FOUR SPECIALTIES: © Administrative Management Diploma ® Financial Management Diploma: @ Marketing Management Diploma ¢ Merchandising Management Diploma To learn more about this highly successful retraining . program or other Business Management programs, escr mae 6 please call 984-4960. , CAPILANO COLLEGE 2055 Purcell Way * North. Vancouver B.C. It is our responsibility to meet this summertime demand, arid we will do everything we can, using the full extent of BC Ferries current resources. We are launching a new trial program of night sailings, between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo, some with 50% fare discounts. We are also offering 56 daily summer sailings between Tsawwassen, Swariz Bay and Nanaimo. We are building new ships. Two have recently been.completed and are now in service. Two more will be ready for summer 1993 and 1994. At summer’s end, we will review our service results. We welcome your suggestions. Please send them to the attention of Frank Rhodes, President, BC Ferries, Summer Feedback, 1112 Fort Si., Victoria, B.C. V8V 4V2. Honourable Glen Clark, ; Minister of Finance & Corporate Relations and Minister Responsible for BC Ferries. BC FERRIES