Four young ladies were honoured by Ha’wiih Jerry Jack and Steve Tom through an Aitstuthla (Coming-of-age) ceremony held in their honor at Tsaxana, near Gold River.
The Aitstuthla ceremony celebrates an important milestone in life. It is given when a young lady reaches puberty and is approaching an important new stage in life – womanhood.
Its purpose is to announce to the larger community that a cherished young woman is preparing herself to learn all she needs to know about being a wife, mother and nurturer. It also serves to remind people of widespread family connections and calls upon extended family members to protect and guide the honored young ladies on their paths to adulthood.
Mowachaht/Muchalaht Chief Jerry Jack and Hesquiaht Chief Steve Tom are closely related and have several family members in common. They chose the date April 20 to co-host a potlatch that saw hundreds of people gathered at Wahmeesh Gym to witness and celebrate the happy occasion.
The festivities started in the morning, because, explained Chief Jack, his late father told him that it was important for some ceremonies like the aitstulthla to begin at a particular time of the day.
With the guests seated in the gym, the hosts and close family members gathered in the large foyer where they sang songs from Mowachaht/Muchalaht. The young ladies, dressed in white, were there, preparing to enter the room. They were flanked by elder women whose job it was to guide and protect the young ladies.
Guests were asked to put away cameras and recording devices as Chief Jack’s 10 sacred tlukwana (wolves) prepared to escort the family in.
In a solemn procession the four young ladies seated in a canoe were carried into the room by dozens of men as Chief Jack’s tlukwana led the way. They were taken to the front of the ceremonial curtain where they waited until the whistling sounds of the tlukwana faded away as they left the gym.
Chief Jack wanted the people to know that the girls prepared very carefully for this important day.
“They swam in the river every morning – spiritual cleansing,” Chief Jack explained. The young ladies also met regularly with older women in their families who explained to them who they are, who they are connected to and what is expected of them as young ladies.
The four young women were introduced by elder Pat Charleson Sr. after they were led to seats near the curtain. Kyra Tom, daughter of Hiihiski?a Chief Stephen Tom and his wife Carrie, was the first to receive a name from Chief Tom’s house of Mohatuqtli-ath.
Kyra’s grandmother Sue Charleson was introduced and the family explained that Kyra is related to the Mowachaht/Muchalaht people through her great grandmother Josephine Tom, who was from the Jack family.
Her name, Aa-mee-ha comes from Amihaa, the place where the Sea Serpents on Chief Tom’s curtain come from,” Carrie Tom explained.
“Aa-mee-ha is the girl who made the cedar rope used to capture the Sea Serpents,” said Carrie. The four young men that helped to carry the canoe bearing Kyra and the other young ladies will receive a name from Chief Tom’s house in the future. Jayme Charleson, Jalen Charleson, Wayne Jules and Stephen Tom Jr. were selected by Chief Tom to act as Kyra’s guardians.
Colleen Jones, Alexandra Sam and Claire Jack-Little each received names from Chief Jack’s house.
Colleen’s parents are Bev Jack and Wayne Jones. Chief Jack is her uncle and her stepfather is Mike Titian. Colleen was named Nee-pa-toolth, which is the center beam of a longhouse and means pillar of strength for family and community.
Alexandra Sam is the daughter of Charlene Jack and Doug Sam while Claire Little is the daughter of Mary Little and Dana Jack. Both young ladies are from the Jack family.
Claire Little had the privilege of having four generations of her family come to celebrate with her. On her mother Mary’s side was grandmother Louise Campbell and great grandmother Bella Campbell.
Hesquiaht singers sang a celebration song before David Charleson Sr. introduced co-host Chief Steven Tom. Charleson reminded the crowd that the young ladies being honored that night were special and they would be closely guarded and looked after until they’re married.
“The wolves will watch them,” he promised.
Verna Paul was especially proud of her granddaughter Alexandra who would be receiving a name from Verna’s side of the family. As happy as she was she regretted that she couldn’t dance due to health issues. She did the next best thing and announced Shirley Johnson agreed to dance in her place.
It was explained that Alexandra had roots to Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Tseshaht, Ehattesaht and more. Several members of the Sam family, including her grandparents, travelled from Tseshaht to stand and celebrate with their treasured young lady.
Alexandra was given the name Maht glawah ahxah which comes from her grandmother’s Ehattesaht family. The name refers to the family that towed the whales ashore for the chiefs.
Mamie Charleson’s family danced some of her songs then led the Sparrow dance. Relatives of the hosts were invited to dance with the other sparrow dancers, much to the delight of the crowd.
Elder Mamie then told the people that it was important for her to take part in the party because she is related to the hosts and their families. Mamie married into Hesquiaht and comes from the John family of Kyuquot. She also has family ties to Ehattesaht and is related to both host chiefs.
Her grandson Greg Charleson reminded the people that it is important to listen to the speakers at potlatches because they are giving important information. They are helping family members learn their blood lines and their culture.
“It is good to be here to honor you as young ladies,” Greg told the four girls. “We all come from women and we are cared for by women and we need to honor them,” he continued.
Verna Paul said that the events of the day are very important.
“You are taking this home with you; this is a reminder to all men that you will never harm these girls, ever!” she said.
She said the girls needed to be protected from all forms of abuse and that the families were asking everyone in attendance to act as witnesses to ensure that everyone follows through with the teachings.
“If you see them misbehaving you have the right to go over and correct them because you are witnesses here,” she told the crowd.
Also receiving names that day were Sandra Jim, Jen Lucas and Alyssa Macintyre from Chief Tom’s house.
Sandra’s parents are Kevin and Jessie Jim and she is Chief Tom’s niece. Her name is Kwee-noh-wit uk-sah meaning girl from Mohut.
Alyssa is the daughter of Dan and Erica Macintyre and she is the grandniece of Chief Tom. Her name is Haa-you-kee-tum which refers to an image on Chief Tom’s curtain. The name means Mother of the Girl on the Roof.
Jen Lucas’ parents are the late Norman Webster and Jessie Jim. Chief Tom gave his niece the name Oo-ah-tuk-kwis, meaning Woman from Mohut.
Chief Tom also gave his wife Carrie a very special new name. Haa-you-t was a name that once belonged to Chief Tom’s grandmother; now his wife carries the name.
