09/23/2026
Here are 3 grizzly cubs on our grizzly bear tour with the Homalco first nations people.
I am grateful for what these people showed us of their culture and the animals on their land: grizzlies, black bears, sea lions, orcas and humpback and a seal. The water was a teal color from alpine lake melt and had this color that was iridescent.
The grizzly bears were so majestic. I have seen many black bears. This was nothing like a black bear. We saw 11 grizzlies on Sunday. It was life changing and so hard to even explain.
The Xwémalhkwu , the “People of the of the fast-running waters”, referring to the many rapids and rivers located within the unceded Xwémalhkwu territory. Their ancestral tongue is ayʔaǰuθɛm, from the Salishan language family. They are the descendants of the ancestors who survived the Great Flood by tying their canoes to the top of Paʔɬmɩn̓ (Place that Grows), known by many today as Estero Peak. They are the stewards and protectors of the land, water, and resources located from Hornby Island and north to Call Inlet, including Campbell River and other portions of Vancouver Island, over the Discovery Islands to East Redonda Island and up Toba Inlet to Brem River, and the Bute Inlet to Tatlayoko Lake, and the surrounding areas.
Xwémalhkwu People have occupied, controlled, and benefitted from these lands, waters, and resources since time immemorial, co-existing beside our sister Nations within the ayʔaǰuθɛm language group: K’omoks, Klahoose, and Tla’amin. They also recognize the recent arrival of the Liqʷiłdaxʷ people, who now share a responsibility to the land, water, and resources with Xwémalhkwu in portions of Xwémalhkwu territory. There are 495 people registered with the Homalco Band today.
The day my son Prabhu Jot Khalsa and I spent with them last Sunday was life altering. Prabhu jot took this video. I will share more as I can unravel the day.