Dozens of proud parents and grandparents gathered at Ahousaht’s Thunderbird Hall on Nov. 24 to take part in the celebration of Ahousaht’s newest members, the 49 baby boys and girls born in the past two years.
According to Vicky Hayes, a resource worker employed with the Nuu-chah-nulth Early Years Outreach Program (EYOP), family members of Ahousaht’s latest arrivals were busy preparing gifts weeks ahead of the event. They made headbands, shawls and child-size paddles for their babies.
All the preparations led up to a community lunch where the parents made a grand entrance with their babies, parading them around the hall.
Ahousaht Tyee Ha’wilth Maquinna Lewis George was proud to witness the celebration.
“I am so happy to see not only the parents but the grandparents, and there are so many babies. Some are my relatives,” he noted.
He went on to talk about how much he loved his home. “I marvel at the safe and beautiful place we live in; when we think of what the children in Syria are going through…” he said, contemplating the future of Ahousaht children.
The tables at the hall were set in long rows, with the centre table being reserved for elders, the grandparents and great grandparents.
Elder Betty Keitlah said it was a good practise to get together to celebrate the new babies. She said, according to Ahousaht teachings, babies were so special that all of their firsts were celebrated from their umbilical cord falling off to their first haircut. “That’s how special our babies are to us,” she said.
To the parents, Keitlah urged them to be good parents.
“Take care of your babies. We don’t want to see any more of our precious babies going out (to foster care),” she pleaded.
Vicky Hayes also talked about teachings and reviving cultural practises, including the idea of filling cedar boxes with items the babies will need as they grow.
Much like a hope chest, Hayes said the cedar boxes were filled with items the parents hoped their babies would use to be successful adults. She said someone might put in fishing gear, cookbooks or even money; whatever it was that the adults wanted their children to achieve success in.
Each of the babies was called upon to receive hand-carved paddles and the babies were dressed in their shawls, vests and headbands for photographs. Some of the babies received traditional names from their houses.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Early Years Outreach Program promotes healthy development for pregnancy, infants and children (ages 0 to12) through home and community visits.
This is the second annual baby welcoming celebration for Ahousaht.
