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As I Remember It: Teachings (Ɂəms tɑɁɑw) from the Life of a Sliammon Elder 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. 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.

Katherine Dominick and Bill Brown

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Contents of this tag:
Contents of this tag:
2. Christmas (2)
3. 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. Katherine Dominick and Harmony Johnson
5. Katherine Dominick and Bill Brown
6. A Visit with Auntie Katherine
7. Traditional Prayer Songs
8. Sundays
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
9. Christmas (1)
10. Preparing an Offering
11. Baby Massage (1)
12. Elsie and Glen (2)
13. Boys
14. Baby Massage (2)
15. Elsie and Glen (1)
16. Sharon
17. 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. Wearing Slacks
30. Granny with the Kids
31. On the Town
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:
Contents of this tag:
1. Katherine Dominick and Bill Brown