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As I Remember It: Teachings (Ɂəms tɑɁɑw) from the Life of a Sliammon Elder This label refers to a teaching that emerges throughout this book: “you learn from someone by example.” (The literal translation of tiʔiwš is “fast learner.”) The goal of this book is to share ɬaʔamɩn teachings and history widely with ɬaʔamɩn community members, students, and teachers at all levels, and with any other interested readers. This is Elsie’s goal in sharing ʔəms tɑʔɑw, and all of the authors hope the book serves an educational purpose. The authors ask readers to take care to use this information respectfully and in context. The Sliammon-language term for this label means “it is mine.” This book contains the teachings and history of the ɬaʔamɩn people as remembered and narrated by Elder Elsie Paul. The effort and care she takes in this work is important. She offers a counter-narrative to incorrect and inappropriate interpretations previously drawn by settlers. Please respect Elsie Paul’s right and responsibility to relate the history and teachings in her own words. She does so from her own perspective and does not attempt to speak for all ɬaʔamɩn people. Please attribute the stories shared in this book to Elsie Paul.

Some sections of this book are authored by other individuals and should be attributed to the appropriate person(s) as indicated. Material in this book may be culturally sensitive for a number of reasons. This label identifies such content by stating: “it is ours.”

ɬaʔamɩn teachings, laws, and practices that flow from them are subject to the ʔəms naʔ label because they are communally held and collectively stewarded by ɬaʔamɩn people for future generations. Much of this knowledge is captured in our legends, for example. The authors recognize that ɬaʔamɩn, Klahoose, and Homalco families have their own tellings of the legends.

Other parts of the book are labelled “ʔəms naʔ” because the ongoing nature of settler colonialism means that the histories discussed here are not part of a distant past. For close to a century, colonial laws and policies prevented community members from sharing teachings freely in their community without fear of punishment or retribution, imposing silences that remain even today. Thus this label also applies to chapters that discuss the genocidal practices that sought to interrupt the transmission of teachings and to sever ɬaʔamɩn sovereign rights to their territory.

Please treat information and photographs marked with this label with special care, especially if you plan to share them with others.

Gifted People

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Contents of this tag:
2. Family Portrait Elsie Paul’s great-great-grandparents and family. The photograph, which was painted over, includes the medicine man featured in the story “He Got His Spirit Back.” Standing, from left: Teresa Tom (tɑlɛsɑt), Chief Tom’s daughter; Cecilia (child), talɛsat’s daughter; Katherine Dominick, daughter of Bob George (tiyʔəpθot) and sister to Granny Molly; Louise Bob, Chief Tom’s daughter; Emily Bob, Chief Tom’s daughter; Bob George (tiyʔəpθot), Granny Molly’s father. Seated, from left: Felix (toqʷɑnən pɛlɩks), medicine man and Elsie’s step-great-great-grandfather; Ann, Elsie’s great-great-grandmother and Granny Molly’s grandmother; Jeannie Bob (čine), Granny Molly’s mother; little girl (name unknown). Seated in foreground: Charlie Bob, the man who lost his spirit.
4. Emmonds Beach
5. Cleansing
6. Gifted People
7. He Got His Spirit Back
8. Times of Transition
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Contents of this tag:
23. Christmas Blankets
24. Elders and Cedar Roots
25. Elsie at Deep Bay
27. Cutting Fish
29. Wedding Day
30. Elders and Friends
31. Elsie and Glen (2)
32. Assessing the Catch
33. Elsie and Glen (1)
34. Elsie and Stella
35. Christmas (1)
36. Mother’s Day, 1980
37. Elders' Gathering
38. At the Elders Lodge Elsie Paul with ɬaʔamɩn Elders when she was running the Elders’ program. Front row, from left: Elsie Paul, Henry Bob, Katherine Blaney, Mary Harry, Rose Louie (behind Mary), Joe Paul Sr. (behind Rose), Willie Bob, Calvin Harry. Back row, from left: Louise Bob, Marie Hackett (behind), Nora Wilson, Annie Dominick, Dave Dominick, Agnes McGee, Rose Peddie, Peta Francis (Okee Dokee), Johnny George, Charlie Charlie, Peggy Harry.
39. Having a Laugh
40. Working Out
42. Retirement
43. Bride and Groom
44. Joining Council
45. Baby Glen
46. mɑksɛmɑ’s Cabin in toχʷnɑč (Okeover)
47. Graduation (1)
48. Preparing an Offering
49. First Home
50. Prince William
51. Party at Elsie Paul’s House
52. Visiting with Annie and Norman Gallagher
53. Elsie at Steveston in the Late 1940s
54. Friends (1)
55. The Ladies
56. The Children at Home
57. Elsie at Home
58. Sliammon Village Waterfront
59. Language Work Linguist Honoré Watanabe stands behind ɬaʔamɩn Elders at the Elders Lodge. Elsie was caretaker and lived at the Elders Lodge for many years. From left: Marion Harry, Mary George, and Elsie Paul. Honoré worked extensively with these three women over more than two decades, living with Elsie during his time in Sliammon. Marion was Elsie’s “little sister” at residential school and worked with Honoré to transcribe and translate the selections in Sliammon language included in this publication.
60. Collaborators
61. A Day in Town
62. Elsie and Teresa at the Cannery
63. Boat to Westview When this photo was taken, it was quicker to get to town by boat than by foot, since people didn’t have cars yet. Peggy Harry is at the back of the group (with barrettes in her hair); Molly Timothy is on the right (with headband); Elsie Paul is in the centre (with flowers in her hair); Stella Timothy is centre right, beside Elsie; further right, holding a baby, is Agnes McGee, and in front of her is Sosen Galligos. Smokey John is on the left (wearing a hat), and lɑsɑ is in front of him.
64. Elsie and Cathy (1)
65. Elsie, Agnes, and Children
66. Elsie and Cathy (2)
67. Party Time
68. On the Town
69. Newlyweds
70. Wearing Slacks
72. Repatriation
73. Going to Church (1)
74. Settlers’ Camp (1)
75. Dedicated Work Partners
78. Siblings Elsie Paul with her siblings at her brother Barney’s house in the early ’80s. Standing, from left: Teddy Francis (Elsie’s brother), Leo Francis (Elsie’s brother), Lillian Francis (Elsie’s niece, Barney Francis’s daughter), Elsie Paul, Doreen Hopkins (Elsie’s sister), Charlene Francis (Elsie’s niece), Jason Francis (Elsie’s nephew), Greg Francis (inch, Elsie’s nephew). Seated, from left: Aunt Agnes McGee, Rita Francis (Elsie’s sister), Nancy Phillips (Elsie’s sister), Vangie Francis (Elsie’s niece), Elizabeth Blaney (Elsie’s sister), Lily Timothy (Elsie’s mother).
79. A Visit with Auntie Katherine
81. Christmas with the Girls
82. Baby Marlane
83. Traditional Prayer Songs
88. Honorary Doctorate
89. Helping Ma
90. Going to Church (2)
91. Childhood Friends
92. Paul Family
94. Elsie Paul with King of the Sea
96. Important Medicine
98. Author Group (7)
99. The Shield
100. Friends (2)
101. Beautiful Baskets
102. Pals
103. Author Group (8)
105. Author Group (5)
106. Rowing with mɑksɛmɑ
107. Author Group (4)
108. Author Group (6)
109. Life History of This Project
111. Territory
112. Becoming Strong
113. Give It to Them
114. Sharing the Book (5)
115. Sharing the Book (2)
116. tʼᶿɛwqʼ (pronunciation)
117. Living with the Land
118. Cleansing
119. Sharing the Book (3)
122. Community Activities
123. Contact Happened
124. Designated Area
125. Sharing the Book (4)
126. Old-Timers and Hard Work
127. You Thank It
129. Gifted People
130. Watch Your Children
131. When It’s Your Time
132. We Were Already Here
133. Part of Our Survival
134. Root Digging
135. He Got His Spirit Back
136. Grieving
137. Recovery
138. tɑʔɑw
139. The Young Girl and Eleven Puppies (English)
140. Author Group (3)
141. Lonely and Homesick
142. Her Name Was Jane
143. New Year’s Dance
144. The Young Girl and Eleven Puppies (Sliammon)
145. Author Group (2)
146. The Chinese Restaurant
148. My Dog Patsy
149. Times of Transition
150. Homebrew
151. Problems Handed down from History
152. Thank the Creator
153. Police Patrol (2)
154. Collecting Branches
155. Police Patrol (1)
156. Author Group (1)
161. New Baby
162. Paul Family Photo
163. The Police Were Standing by the Bed
164. Showcasing This Book
165. Naming Ceremony
166. Preparing Fish and Community Drive-Through
Contents of this tag:
7. Elsie at Deep Bay
9. Family Portrait Elsie Paul’s great-great-grandparents and family. The photograph, which was painted over, includes the medicine man featured in the story “He Got His Spirit Back.” Standing, from left: Teresa Tom (tɑlɛsɑt), Chief Tom’s daughter; Cecilia (child), talɛsat’s daughter; Katherine Dominick, daughter of Bob George (tiyʔəpθot) and sister to Granny Molly; Louise Bob, Chief Tom’s daughter; Emily Bob, Chief Tom’s daughter; Bob George (tiyʔəpθot), Granny Molly’s father. Seated, from left: Felix (toqʷɑnən pɛlɩks), medicine man and Elsie’s step-great-great-grandfather; Ann, Elsie’s great-great-grandmother and Granny Molly’s grandmother; Jeannie Bob (čine), Granny Molly’s mother; little girl (name unknown). Seated in foreground: Charlie Bob, the man who lost his spirit.
10. Wedding Day
11. Bride and Groom
12. Three Generations
13. Paul Family Car
14. Katherine Dominick and Harmony Johnson
16. Chief tɑmɑ and the Timothy Children
17. Party Time
21. Siblings Elsie Paul with her siblings at her brother Barney’s house in the early ’80s. Standing, from left: Teddy Francis (Elsie’s brother), Leo Francis (Elsie’s brother), Lillian Francis (Elsie’s niece, Barney Francis’s daughter), Elsie Paul, Doreen Hopkins (Elsie’s sister), Charlene Francis (Elsie’s niece), Jason Francis (Elsie’s nephew), Greg Francis (inch, Elsie’s nephew). Seated, from left: Aunt Agnes McGee, Rita Francis (Elsie’s sister), Nancy Phillips (Elsie’s sister), Vangie Francis (Elsie’s niece), Elizabeth Blaney (Elsie’s sister), Lily Timothy (Elsie’s mother).
24. Wedding
27. Beautiful Baskets
28. Rowing with mɑksɛmɑ
29. Give It to Them
30. Gifted People
32. New Year’s Dance
33. Our People Governed Themselves
34. Grieving
Contents of this tag:
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Contents of this tag:
4. Family Portrait Painted photograph of Elsie Paul's great-great-grandparents and family. The photograph includes the medicine man featured in the story “He Got His Spirit Back.” Standing, from left: Teresa Tom (tɑlɛsɑt), Chief Tom’s daughter; Cecilia (child), talɛsat’s daughter; Katherine Dominick, daughter of Bob George (tiyʔəpθot) and sister to Granny Molly; Louise Bob, Chief Tom’s daughter; Emily Bob, Chief Tom’s daughter; Bob George (tiyʔəpθot), Granny Molly’s father. Seated, from left: Felix (toqʷɑnən pɛlɩks), medicine man and Elsie’s step-great-great-grandfather; Ann, Elsie’s great-great-grandmother and Granny Molly’s grandmother; Jeannie Bob (čine), Granny Molly’s mother; little girl (name unknown). Seated in foreground: Charlie Bob, the man who lost his spirit.
7. Wedding Day
8. Preparing an Offering
9. Christmas (1)
10. Baby Massage (1)
11. Baby Massage (2)
12. Elsie and Glen (2)
13. Boys
14. Elsie and Glen (1)
15. Sharon
16. Bride and Groom
18. Baby Massage (3)
20. Baby Papoose (2)
21. Katherine Dominick and Bill Brown
22. Baby Papoose (1)
24. At the Beach
25. Jeannie in the Crib
26. Willie and Jeannie
27. Elsie and Cathy (2)
28. Elsie and Cathy (1)
29. Granny with the Kids
30. On the Town
31. Wearing Slacks
32. Going to Church (1)
34. A Visit with Auntie Katherine
36. Soccer
37. Christmas with the Girls
38. Baby Marlane
41. Bear Hunt
42. Sliammon Soccer Team
43. The Boys
44. My Girls
45. Important Medicine
46. Pals
47. The Shield
48. Becoming Strong
49. Cleansing
50. Brem River Valley
51. Gifted People
52. He Got His Spirit Back
53. Times of Transition
54. You Thank It
55. The Spirits Are Hungry
57. When It’s Your Time
58. Grieving
59. Paul Family Photo
Contents of this tag:
1. Family Portrait Elsie Paul’s great-great-grandparents and family. The photograph, which was painted over, includes the medicine man featured in the story “He Got His Spirit Back.” Standing, from left: Teresa Tom (tɑlɛsɑt), Chief Tom’s daughter; Cecilia (child), talɛsat’s daughter; Katherine Dominick, daughter of Bob George (tiyʔəpθot) and sister to Granny Molly; Louise Bob, Chief Tom’s daughter; Emily Bob, Chief Tom’s daughter; Bob George (tiyʔəpθot), Granny Molly’s father. Seated, from left: Felix (toqʷɑnən pɛlɩks), medicine man and Elsie’s step-great-great-grandfather; Ann, Elsie’s great-great-grandmother and Granny Molly’s grandmother; Jeannie Bob (čine), Granny Molly’s mother; little girl (name unknown). Seated in foreground: Charlie Bob, the man who lost his spirit.
2. Charlie Bob
3. Emmonds Beach
4. Elders
5. Cleansing
6. Gifted People
7. He Got His Spirit Back
8. Times of Transition

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Twins Are Gifted
“Because they were twins – our people have always believed that twins carry good energy. They are gifted. They come with gifts.”
This healer, him and his twin brother, they could really read each other so well, they could feel, they could sense what the other one was doing. Because twins are very sensitive to each other. They share the same feelings. And because people travelled and camped quite a lot, the other brother went over to the other side of Texada Island. They were fishin’ out there and a storm came up. So they decided just to camp there, on the far side of Texada, decided just to stay put and wait out the storm. And they had been gone for a couple of nights, and the mother got really worried. She was becomin’ very concerned – it’s been two days, maybe three days, and he hasn’t come back from his trip. There’s him and this other man that had gone on this trip. So she said to her son, to Felix, said, “Why are you not worried about your brother? You should be doing something. He’s been gone for several days and you should be worried. You should be concerned. You should find him – go and find him.” “Oh,” he says, “oh, I’ll meditate on it.” And he did. He went out to his fire, lit his fire and called upon the energy, the spirits around him, and reached out to his brother. Looked for him: “Where are you?” When he came out of his trance he said to his mother, “Oh, I found him. He’s okay. He’s camped way over there, outside of Texada Island, or that island over there. That’s where he’s at.”
And when the brother came back home, he told his story of how his brother found him over there. He said while they were camped, he seen a lightning way at the point – point of, like, Blubber Bay end there. He seen a lightning there. It just flashed there and there was thunder. And then it came closer to where they were. And then it came very close to where they were. Three times that hit. And it was gone. So he said to his travelling companion, “That was my brother. He’s looking for me. Now he’s gone. He’s found us.” So that was his story when he came back.
“You do not belittle the work that the worker does, the healer does. Respect that healer. Honour what he does. Believe in it. Only then will good things happen.”
And to me I don’t doubt that that happened. That was the story that was always told in our family. So workin’ with things, like, workin’ with nature, that they were able to use the resources – that nature was the resources of the people. So to me, that’s a very special story. It doesn’t happen if you are not a believer. And that’s what we were always told: “You have to believe. You have to honour. You have to be serious. It’s not a laughing matter. You do not belittle the work that the worker does, the healer does. Respect that healer. Honour what he does. Believe in it. Only then will good things happen. Or only then will you hear what is the truth.” And these are proven facts as far as I’m concerned. That because people believed, and they went into it believing, and getting the answer they were looking for. They were rare. They were gifted people. They were very gifted people. Like in this incident with the two brothers. Because they were twins – our people have always believed that twins carry good energy. They are gifted. They come with gifts. So in this case, it was proven that they were gifted.