Hišimy̓awiƛ: A Naming Story — State of the Mountains

Two of the three yellow cedar poles given by the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation to The Alpine Club of Canada - Vancouver Island Section glow in sunset light. The intricate hand rails leading up to Hišimy̓awiƛ are designed by hut construction manager Chris Ruttan. Photo: Mary Sanseverino

Names are important

In 2019, a hut built by The Alpine Club of Canada was honoured with an Indigenous name: Hišimy̓awiƛ (Hi-SHIM-ya-wit). It means “Gather Together” in the Barkley Sound dialect of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet) First Nation, one of several Nuu-chah-nulth peoples who have lived on the west coast for millennia. The hut sits high on the flank of a Vancouver Island peak, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Looking west from Hišimy̓awiƛ. Hidden Peak rises from the morning Pacific Ocean cloud. Photo: Mary Sanseverino.

In mountain communities, as elsewhere, names carry significance. When gifted to a location, they help us understand and shape meaning for that place. In Nuu-chah-nulth traditions, names are celebrated in actions, ceremonies, songs, and stories.

In early 2016, Project Leader Chris Jensen presented a plan to members of the Alpine Club of Canada – Vancouver Island Section (ACC-VI) to build an alpine all-season hut below 5040 Peak. But long before this, he consulted with local First Nations to discuss potential sites. Chris noted, “[t]he ridges of 5040 Peak form the boundaries of several large watersheds. Therefore, they also form the natural boundaries for five First Nations: Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, Tla-o-qui-aht, Tseshaht, Hupačasath and Uchucklesaht. Like the hub of a wheel, 5040 Peak is a special nexus and an ideal location to bring together youth from the region. I do not know if there is a better single viewpoint than the summit of 5040 Peak to observe and appreciate the traditional territories of so many First Nations.”[1]

Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht, Tseshaht, Hupačasath, and Uchucklesaht First Nations were involved in discussions with ACC-VI from the beginning. Early in the process, Jensen and Construction Manager Chris Ruttan hiked with members of c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht) up 5040 to view the proposed site. The Tla-o-qui-aht gifted three magnificent yellow cedar logs that today anchor the front of Hišimy̓awiƛ. Support from local First Nations was important for securing approval from the Provincial government.

On the ridge above Cobalt Lake looking N-NW. These are some of the traditional lands of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, Toquaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Tseshaht, Hupačasath, and Uchucklesaht First Nations. Many of the mountains along the horizon are also part of Clayoquot Plateau Provincial Park or Strathcona Provincial Park. Photo: Mary Sanseverino.

Over the next two years, hundreds of people devoted time, energy, and money to the project. The “5040 Peak Hut” was officially opened on October 20th, 2018. This prosaic name lacked Indigenous meaning but served as a useful placeholder.

A more traditional name would demonstrate support of First Nations for a hut on their territory and honour the developing relationship with ACC-VI. Meaningful names that incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing place require respectful, strong ties to the land itself. However, such a name was not for the Section to determine. It would have to be gifted from one or more First Nations.

Initially, this proved challenging, but a group of Indigenous youth led the way. Relationships between the youth, their leaders, and the ACC-VI began in 2016, when Carlos Mack of the Toquaht Nation successfully applied for a $1,500 youth grant from the Section. They used it to purchase climbing gear for the “Warrior Youth,” a landbased Indigenous leadership program in the Ucluelet-Tofino area.

Members of the Warrior Youth at Hišimy̓awiƛ, October 2019. Photo: Mike Hubbard

In 2018, ACC-VI members led several Warrior Youth on a rainy weekend of climbing in traditional Toquaht territory. By this time, Dr. Ricardo Manmohan of Tofino was leading the program. He recognized the importance of getting these teens into the mountains and wanted to foster a closer relationship with the ACC. In response, the Section set up a First Nations Liaison Subcommittee.

Chris Jensen suggested the Subcommittee ask the Warrior Youth to name the hut. He felt they would be able to speak with their elders and help lead the way to consensus. In early 2019, Ricardo and the group took up the challenge. The Warriors began by proposing an English name: “Gathering Place.” This sounded good but the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ elders demurred, noting that the word “place” implied a sense of ownership. Traditional Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ place names honour activities practiced at that location, not ownership.

The elders suggested “Gather Together” instead. The youth agreed and asked the Nuuchah- nulth Council in Port Alberni for a translation into the Barkley Sound dialect of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Nation. Subsequently, the Toquaht elders suggested a minor spelling change. The Tla-o-qui-aht elders approved, and other Nations in the area were notified. In September 2019, the ACC-VI executive unanimously approved the suggestion.

On Saturday, Oct 5th, 2019, Warrior Youth members Evan Touchie, Ethan Tom, Daniel Williams, Tyson Touchie, and Hayden Seitcher, along with ACC-VI youth Iain Sou, Evelyn Sou and Aila Gessinger, summited 5040 Peak. Upon returning to the hut, the Warriors gathered in ceremony, drumming and singing Welcome and Victory songs to the assembled crowd. Representing elders from Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, Toquaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, they gifted the Alpine Club of Canada with the new name: Hišimy̓awiƛ.

Hišimy̓awiƛ full of morning light. The view that holds the gaze of these climbers is Triple Peak to the S-SW. Photo: Mary Sanseverino.

This is the first time the Alpine Club of Canada has worked directly with First Nations to name a hut. It marks a cultural milestone in our history and demonstrates respect for Indigenous ways of knowing the land. May everyone gather together at Hišimy̓awiƛ both to enjoy the mountains and honour the pure spirit of this place.

AUTHORS

Mary Sanseverino is an active ACC member (Vancouver Island and Columbia Mountains Sections) and also serves on the ACC’s national Nomination Committee. She is a Corresponding Member to the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation’s (UIAA) Mountain Protection Commission and is a research associate with the Mountain Legacy Project at the University of Victoria’s School of Environmental Studies.

Geoff Bennett is a longtime mountaineer and ACC member, and a recipient of the ACC’s Don Forest Service Award. He has served the Vancouver Island Section in various capacities as Treasurer, Memorial Fund Administrator, and First Nations Liaison.

References

[1] Qtd. in Geoff Bennett and Mike Hubbard, “Hišimy̓awiƛ: Gather Together,” Aspects: The ACC Blog, January 2, 2020.