I AM FOREVER DRAWN HOME

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I grew up on the shores of beautiful Quatsino Sound in an isolated Indian village.

I only need to close my eyes and I am taken back—to the warm summer’s sun on my face and the sound of the ocean softly caressing the beach.

I can still hear the crickets, and the woodpecker with the bright red cap that hung out by the old school for as long as I can remember.

The tide is low; the smell of seaweed is intense.

The huckleberries are so vivid in my mind’s eye that I’m sure I can smell them, though I know they have no scent.

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My mother, brother and sister are buried here, their graves marked with majestic carved killer whales that symbolize our maternal family’s crest.

I hate leaving them here—but where better to rest?

Here, they can oversee the ocean, and safeguard the ancient burial island and our treasure of memories.

I am forever drawn home.

As I grow older I realize that that yearning—that tugging on a deep sinew that binds my heart and soul together near those shores—is what inspired me to start a kayak business in the early 90s with my husband Marc.

We created a voyage called Ancient Voices that honoured the annual journeys of my youth; departing by kayak from Coal Harbour, the trip included stops at some traditional village sites along the way, including Quatsino, Oyakumla and Clienna in Winter Harbour. Every summer, my family would travel from Quatsino to Winter Harbour for the fishing season, where we would all bunk into a one-room shack with my grandparents.

That small cabin at Winter Harbour would one day burn down, taking the life of their grandson—my fifteen-year old uncle Bobby, and shortly afterward, my grandparents went out to sea and never returned.

They were considered to be lost, but I believe they went out with the intention never to return. Their deaths—their broken hearts—are commemorated with a small modest totem pole in the park in Winter Harbour. I didn’t return to Winter Harbour until 20 years after they died, and Ancient Voices allowed me to travel back in time, physically and spiritually.

Ultimately, I am who I am today because of the land on which I was raised, the ocean on which I travelled, and the teachings of my grandparents and extended community.

What I recall most throughout my life is that I never stopped dreaming.

I would dream of meeting Elvis in person, travelling to far-off places, joining Nancy Drew as she solved another seemingly impossible mystery, and even of working in a restaurant (a favourite game I acted out with my cousin Eleanor).

I had boundless dreams.

Sometimes I think today’s youth have lost the ability or desire to dream.

I’m still dreaming, and I believe that’s why I have experienced such a rich journey in my work, entrepreneurial endeavors, and play.

I recently resigned from my role as the Director of the Office of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Victoria, to wholeheartedly join forces with my husband Marc in establishing and marketing our restaurant: Evedar’s Bistro in Langford. We didn’t know much about the food industry when we began this new adventure, but from the boat and kayak rental business we knew that customer service and creating a wonderful customer experience are keys to any successful endeavour. We strive to excel in customer service and have worked diligently to create a team of like-minded people.

Nonetheless, I am still that young girl from the village, forever connected to my childhood and the traditions of my people—especially those of my loving and nurturing grandparents and those early dreams which continued to emerge. I did make it to Graceland, and have traveled to many far-off places; I still have a collection of those old Nancy Drew books on my shelf, and have owned two restaurants.

My time here on Coast Salish territory has been memorable, and for the time being we call Victoria home. Of course, I am ever dreaming about the next part of my journey, my next adventure, opportunity and challenge.

But in the end, my feet will always stand in spirit on two shores, joining Quatsino Sound and Winter Harbour. In this I am reminded of my grandpa’s words, “Jsinau (my Indian name), you are a smart girl, you will talk for our people someday.” I hope I have proven him right.

I want to acknowledge Kerissa Dickey for providing editorial support.

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By Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi . First Published in Island Gals Magazine . 2012 . Volume 2 . Issue 3 .

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