I was fortunate enough to be blessed to have such a meaningful and wonderful summer job. I worked with absolutely amazing people. (One being my father, Kevin Rivers.) I gained valuable experience for my own journey, and culture. The resources and connections made, not only with my own people, but the land herself. Being out on the territory was uplifting and balancing. I strongly and firmly believe every indigene should take have their own pilgrimages to their xay temixw (sacred land).

The raw power of our lands, sea's and skies lifts you up. In a world of fast pace movement, the serenity of the land gives you that balance to slow down and pay attention to the things that matter, included, you. I hope the beauty, barley captured within these pictures can show you how much of our territory has meaning and purpose for our own struggle. And essentially, it is all because of the land. We are but animals too. (Some more animal then others...lol)

You will see the beautiful territory of the Skwxwu7mesh-ulh people. Very different places connecting the dots of all over my territory. Some of these places are opposite sides of valley's and on the other side of mountains. I encourage many indigenous people to become more aware of your land and how it connects to our struggle. How it guides us, helps us and gives us strength.

Enjoy,
(Note: These pictures are for personal and research uses only. Please do not distribute or copy without permission. Thank you.)

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(Cheakmesh Lake & River)

(Medows and Triconi Lake)

(Callahan Lake & Valley)
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(Rock Shelter in Squamish Valley)
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(Sta7mes Siyam Mountain)

Have you ever walked and felt all alone?
Listening to the wind and its spiritual tone;
Allow the breeze to pass through your heart,
It can fill the emptiness and bring a new start.

Have you ever walked when you were in pain?
When nothing was right and life was in vain;
Listen to the shimmer of the leaves on the trees,
They can brush the soul and put your mind as ease.

Have you ever walked with nowhere to go?
To pass the time where no one will know;
Stand in the warmth of the sun's mystical ray,
It can fill the emptiness and brighten your day.

Have you ever walked with a friend that is true?
Someone who will understand and listen to you;
Friendship is the greatest gift one can give,
It is between two people and a sacred way to live.

Have you ever walked through life with a friend?
The walk is fulfilled and much greater to the end.

- Waxiwidi (William Wasden Jr.)

Here is a few bombardment of ramblings come to me in the past week. I am currently super tired, but I thought I would post before I forget.

1.) Some things need hard work before it gets easy.

2.) Love can be given/recieved in many different ways.

3.) Gentlemen were the leaders of our communities

4.) In any situation people either ask for love, or give love.

5.) Live by example.

6.) I can let others pick up on my weaknesses.

7.) Everyone needs a dream that is larger them themselves, that will take more then their life time.

8.) Who is indigenous? If I'm 1/4th White, am I still Indigenous? What if I'm 1/800th White, am I still indigenous? What and who is indigenous?

9.) My culture, politics, and economics was not capitialistic. (D: Capitialism is the idea that the wickest of men will do the wickest of things for the greater good of all the people.)

10.) Why can't we all just get along? (Settler-Indigenous Relations)

11.) Who says we're Canadian and is it a choice? If not, why am I not Canadian?

12.) God, gods, or neither? (Not in a athiest sence, but does foriegn languages accuritly define our life/power.)

13.) Alcoholism is a disease.

So my family's car got stolen recently. Yeah, stolen. The entire car. The group who stolen it, pretty much fucked it up. They went on a four day joy ride. The CD player, wrecked. The beautiful leather seats, shot. The engine barely functions. Paint job is screwed up. All garbled and messed up. Radio only works for certain stations. Some tires are broken. And doesn't have much gas in it now. The front bumper isn't there anymore. The window on the passenger seat is smashed. There is glass everywhere. The carpet in the back has been ripped up. It's gone. Not even there anymore. And so we know who stole it in the first place. We still know who did it. Now the thieves come to us and say "We'll sell you 1/3rd of the car back to you with this TFL, a trade free license."

Now anyone else who would get in this situation wouldn't pay 3 millions to buy back 1/3 of the car, they would take what is rightfully theirs. But for some strange reason, the leaders have decided to buy back 1/3 of the territory, that been wrecked by these thieves. Now, with the part of the car they do own, they it to get developed more. Wreck the car more for short term money they say.

Doesn't anyone else think this is crazy? Buying back stolen land... Tree Farm Licenses, reserve lands, peace lands, 2010 Olympics.



We'll, are you ready for change?