BINGO WALK

Published in Wilp Si’satxw Community Healing Centre’s Newsletter

By Kali Skalan, July 23, 2010

The circle room was full. Twenty-four pledgers invited their family and friends to the native treatment centre’s graduation ceremony after six weeks. Twenty-four empty chairs in a circle awaited the graduates.

At 11:00 a.m., they filed in. Each scanned the room for family. The beaming faces of each pledger was testament of the promise of a new life.

Ray, the M.C., welcomed the guests then turned to the pledgers, “I’m so glad to see you go . . . oh, I mean I’m so sad to see you go!” Everybody laughs and settles in.

Each graduate rose to accept their certificate of completion and parting gift from the centre. Each spoke with passion how grateful they were to the treatment centre, the care team, the sisterhood and brotherhood. They spoke of the special knowledge, insight, and understanding they acquired. More important, each declared a “new day” in their life, affirming a change.

At the closing, Ray comments, “We didn’t expect so many guests. Somebody tell the cooks to add more water to the soup!” Everybody chuckles. Pledgers and family members join; children so happy to finally join mom and dad after a long six weeks; spouse embraced; parents beamed; friends also celebrated.

The feast as usual was delicious. Family and friends spontaneously rose to declare the change they observed in their loved ones who treated themselves. By 3:00 p.m., the treatment centre was empty of pledgers. The staff immediately began the clean up and preparations for the next group.

One pledger lingered, suitcase in hand, reluctant to leave. The staff gave him lots of room.

Finally, David approached Tom, “What’s up? Don’t you have family waiting for you?”

“Oh yeah!”

“You want to do another six weeks?”

Tom chuckles, appreciating the friendship and usual comradery, typical of the centre. “I was just thinking about what that ceremonial helper said about fulfilling ancient tribal obligation. And what he called daxgyat.”

“Yeah?”, David encouraging and knowing there was more.

“He didn’t give us instructions on how to do that. He said there was no manual. But each has their own tribal obligation peculiar to their tribe. He talked of identity and essence, critical to our personal healing plan. He said that aboriginal teachings, sacred ceremonies, tools and medicine are relevant and has application in my life, today, 2010, in mainstream Canada . . . He said that if I’m going to dance, I be the best dancer . . . He said that when he referred to tribal identity and essence, he wasn’t talking about my band or my band number . . . “

“Yeah?”

“I never heard that before. My parents never taught us that. That’s the first time I heard that . . . He challenged me to study my history. He challenged me to understand the source of my misery, why I behave the way I do . . . “

David waits in silence for Tom to finish his defining moment.

“So . . . I guess I’ll do that. Study my tribal history. Do my family genealogy. Rediscover my tribal identity and essence. Find out what my tribal obligation is and not let it fall to the ground. Fulfil it. I will do ceremony. I want a tribal name. I will realign my basic self and spiritual self. I will be the best dad for my kids . . . Now I understand what he meant by daxgyat [a Gitxsan term meaning strength, authority, and confidence] and giving it expression for mine and family’s well-being. I’ll be the best dancer. Yeah. That’s what I’ll do. All my relations!”

Tom stands up, pauses, offers his hand to David, “Thank you Wilp Si’satxw. Thanks for everything . . . You know . . . it just occurred to me, I’m not even craving for a drink . . . ho wa’ . . .” Shaking his head, Tom ambles over to his 2009 F-150 truck, hops in, waves, and drives off.

James, the maintenance man, in transit from the administration building, “What’s that all about?”

“Oh, Tom has a new walk now, kinda like that bingo walk eh?” n