Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2008 — Kau Inoa registry helps reconnect Squamish-Hawaiians with their roots [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kau Inoa registry helps reconnect Squamish-Hawaiians with their roots

By Nara Cardenas ŪHA Cūmmunity Dutreach Specialist "We have never ceded or surrendered title to our lands, rights to our resources, or the power to make decisions within our territory." - Squamish Naūon In the 1800s, Hawaiians helped establish the fur trade in the Pacific Northwest. They were renowned as excellent watermen

and often recruited by whaling ships. Many made the continent home and raised families there. The Squamish-Hawaiians are descendants of the pioneering Hawaiians who settled in Vancouver, British Columbia. They got together for a Hawaiian Reunion Celebration of the Pacific Northwest hosted by the Squamish Nahon on Iuly 19 and 20. OHA Administrator Clyde Nāmu'o, Director of Hawaiian Governance Theresa Bigbie, and Lead Advocate for Kau Inoa Aulani Apoliona, were invited by the Squamish Nation Administrator, Glen Newman, to represent the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The

celebration's goal was "to reunite the Hawaiian families of the Pacific Northwest, to heal the past, and recreate an atmosphere of trust," says Theresa. Aulani explains: "In fonner years, the older generations ... have often had to bury or hide their Hawaiian side out of shame of being half-breeds. So a very important purpose of this meeting was to celebrate their Hawaiian genealogy and heritage." Estimates put the current Native Hawaiian population in Canada

at 20,000; approximately 400 of the 1,200 members living in the Squamish Nation reservation are Hawaiian. Aulani helped 286 Squamish-Hawaiians register in Kau Inoa at the event. "It heeame clear to us through the Kau Inoa registrations from this region that these were people who had Hawaiian ancestry who were passionate about being counted and included. Not always accepted culturally by Native Americans as well as Hawaiians in Hawai'i, they have felt the urgent need to be reconnected," Theresa says. The Hawaiian Registry Program and Kau Inoa have helped them

"make that bridge to their native home." Aulani adds, "For the most part, the Squamish people have never laid eyes on representatives of their Hawaiian heritage." There is mueh that Hawaiians ean learn from the Squamish Nation. According to its web site, the Squamish Nation was established by an agreement between 16 Squamish chiefs to "guarantee equality to all Squamish people and to ensure good govermnent." Through their agreement they

were able to consolidate nation revenues and resources to provide for their people. Aulani ventures that the Squamish understand how necessary it is for Hawaiians to build a nation because "they have had a personal positive 'nation' experience to draw upon. For example, the Squamish Nation has sources of revenue including a marina, different small native businesses, affordable housing

and galleries all on their 'reserve' land. They know that the reserve and the nation relationship with the Canadian government provide special opportunities for Squamish people, if they choose to take advantage of them. So the Squamish are very supportive of Hawaiians fonning their own nation." In addition to helping Squamish-Hawaiians make the connection to their roots, Theresa says, "We went to leam from them of the great heritage and legacy of struggle and endurance in a land fraught with the challenges of frontier life. It is a story of persistence and courage!" Mahalo a nui loa to the Squamish

Nahon, their Administrator Glen Newman, eventcoordinatorLeiAloha Baker, and Hawai'i contact Roree Oehlman for hosting us and making a long-awaited reunion a ieahty. Check out www.squamish. net for more infonnation on the Squamish Nation. A more in-depth article will be featured in the next Ho 'oulu Lāhui Aloha newsletter - register in Kau Inoa to receive the newsletter or go to kauinoa.org. I

HO'OULU LĀHUI ALOHA ■ T0 RAISE A BEL0VED NAĪION

After placing his name, Fred Roland - a Squamish-Hawaiian of the Pacific Northwest — shown seated at center, put on his Kau Inoa T-shirt and said, "l've waited my whole life for this." He has since passed away. - Photo: Couttesy ofRoree Oehlman