ʔapukʷəm, also known as Forbes Bay, lies across from East Redonda Island on the mainland on Klahoose territory.
From Aug. 8 to 12, ʔapukʷəm was the site of a language camp for χʷɛmaɬkʷu (Homalco) youth to learn and practice their traditional language and culture.
The campers and their facilitators travelled from Campbell River to the camp on a boat provided by Qaya Way West Transportation. At the site, youth participated in language-rich cultural events such as storytelling, singing and river bathing in addition to the wilderness activities provided by such a pristine setting.
χʷɛmaɬkʷu Elder Fay Blaney along with facilitators Dominic Fode and Rachelle Loos camped, cooked and celebrated Homalco culture with the youth, assisted by Tla’amin Elders Gerry Galigos and Jerry Francis and Land Guardian Kai Blaney.
“One of the highlights for me was hearing every youth expressing deep delight in being at this site learning language,” says Fay Blaney. “There is something about being on the land that inspires the resurgence of our language.”
The four Sister Nations of Klahoose, Tla’amin, K’omoks and χʷɛmaɬkʷu share the traditional language ʔayʔaǰuθəm. The language camp at ʔapukʷəm marks the second such event for youth to learn ʔayʔaǰuθəm. Classes in the language are now being offered in School District 72 (Campbell River) and at North Island College.
