It has been a year since Ray Seitcher Sr.’s passing and his family marked the occasion by gathering at the lot where his house is to be built, to pray and to announce plans for the future.
Not only was Ray a devoted family man, but he was also an elder, a chief and he worked with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in its Quu?asa Program to help people along their healing journeys. He was highly respected throughout the community and it showed in the number of people that came to remember him and support his family.
The Seitcher family gathered at Tyhistanis on the morning of April 15. Sisters Ina Seitcher and Pearl Dorward stood arm-in-arm with their grandchildren and Ray’s wife Cathy as Tla-o-qui-aht elders offered prayers and blessed the ground.
Ray and Cathy had selected a lot before his sudden passing. The family wished to cleanse the site and begin anew.
The elders told Cathy that she would always be theirs and they would care for her.
“We are doing what was requested of Ray Seitcher…this is where his house will be built and we are blessing it,” said elder Barney Williams. He also welcomed the people, telling them that they’ve lifted the spirits of the late chief and his wife by being there.
Staff at Quu?asa took an active role in the cleansing ceremony.
After prayers, celebration songs and hugs all around, the Seitcher grandchildren were given garden tools. They were asked to break the ground so that construction of the new house will get off to a good start.
Everyone was invited to Tin Wis Best Western Conference Centre for lunch and to take care of some family business. The lunch was hosted by staff of Quu?asa in honor of their much-loved and missed co-worker.
Following lunch Ray’s son and eldest grandson stood before the crowd. At the time of Ray Sr.’s passing they had changed their names, Ray Jr. and Ray Seitcher III, in keeping with cultural teachings. The men, Barney Williams announced, will now be known as Ray Seitcher Sr. and Ray Seitcher Jr.
The now elder Ray, who is a Tla-o-qui-aht ha’wilth, will retain the chief name Hiyoueah.
Standing with the Seitcher family, Barney Williams thanked the people for their support. Thank you to the Ha’wiih from the house of ?ii-wa-nuk (Seitcher), Williams said. The family promised that the house they will be building for Cathy will be a family home, one filled with laughter and love, and open to everyone.
“It will be a house built on his life values of love and respect,” said Williams of the late chief. “Thank you for caring and for joining us here today; we are grateful for knowing such a great man,” said Williams.
“He recognized the impact of the residential schools on our people and he was proud to work with them and on our team,” said Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Cliff Atleo. “The lives he touched are many and he did that using our teachings.
Many shared personal recollections of their friend Ray.
Anita Charleson-Touchie credited him for getting the funding to help residential school survivors through the Quu?asa program. She presented a framed photograph of Ray to Cathy Seitcher.
There were some funny stories about Ray, showing his mischievous side. Co-workers Kim Rai and Barry Coulson shared some of Ray’s more spicy humor as everyone in the room laughed.
“He promised me he would make me a drum if I quit drinking; I so wanted that drum that I quit drinking,” said Coulson. He brought his drum to the party and sang The Ray Song to everyone’s delight.
