Pʹéskʹa and the First Salmon Ceremony

It's the day of the first salmon ceremony, and P'ésk'a is excited to celebrate. His community, the Sts'ailes people, give thanks to the river and the salmon it brings by commemorating the first salmon of the season.

Framed as an exploration of what life was like one thousand years ago, P'ésk'a and the First Salmon Ceremony describes the customs of the Sts'ailes people, an Indigenous group who have lived on what is now the Harrison River in British Columbia for the last 10,000 years. Includes an introductory letter from Chief William Charlie, an illustrated afterword and a glossary.

P'ésk'a opens his eyes. Today is an important day for his people, the Sts'ailes. But the special tray needed for the ceremony has been left behind, and without it, there won't be a celebration! "Come on, Muqmeqe." With the tray under his arm, P'ésk'a goes looking for the Si:yam, the chief. Every spring P'ésk'a's people celebrate the First Salmon Ceremony. It's their way of saying thank you -- "Huy ch q'u!" -- to the river for all the salmon it brings. Salmon is the most important food for the Sts'ailes people, but P'ésk'a and his family also rely on other animals, berries and cedar trees. Everything the Sts'ailes need to survive is found in the forest and the river. Excerpted from P'ésk'a and the First Salmon Ceremony by Scot Ritchie All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.