• Skip to main navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Quick Property Search

Trending Squamish Searches

  • Squamish BC Homes for Sale
  • Brackendale BC Homes for Sale
  • Garibaldi Highlands BC Homes for Sale
  • Britannia Beach BC Homes for Sale
  • Valleycliffe BC Homes for Sale

Talk To Scott Now

Have a question? Give me a call at 604-815-1985and I will contact you right away.

Squamish Homes and Condos for SaleSquamish Homes and Condos for Sale

  • SEARCH
    • Advanced Search
    • Set Up Email Alerts
    • Interactive Map Search
    • Listing ID Search
    • Address Search
    • My Account
  • FEATURED
    • Our Featured Properties
    • Today’s Newest Single Family Houses for sale
    • Today’s Newest Condos & Townhouses for sale
    • Today’s Newest Land for sale
  • NEIGHBOURHOODS
    • Britannia Beach
    • Garibaldi Highlands
    • Brackendale
    • Valleycliffe
    • Rural Squamish
    • Northyards
    • Tantalus
    • Garibaldi Estates
    • Brennan Centre
    • Dentville
    • Downtown Squamish
    • Hospital Hill
    • Crumpit Woods & Plateau
    • University Heights
    • Explore More
  • NEW DEVELOPMENTS
    • Redbridge
    • SEAandSKY at Waterfront Landing
    • Jumar
    • The Plaza at Junction Park
    • Cleveland Gardens
    • Pemberton and 3rd Avenue
    • Britannia Beach
  • BUY
    • Why Buy with Us?
    • Mortgage Calculator
  • SELL
    • Home Valuation
    • Selling 101
    • Marketing Your Home
  • ARTICLES
    • Culture
      • Arts
      • Music
      • Food & Drink
        • Recipes
        • Restaurants
    • Real Estate
    • Profiles
      • Business
      • People
    • At Home
      • Garden
    • Throwback
    • Habitat
    • Field Trips
    • Around the Internet
  • CONTACT
    • About Squamish.com Real Estate Group
    • Client Reviews
    • Contact Us
SearchClose

Joshua Watts: Traditional Culture Today

A quick Google search of Josh Watts returns stories about his athletic scholarship, rugby playing, traditional singing, language revitalization, and canoe restoration. Watts is well-known among Squamish Nation and hails from Cowichan Lake/Nuu-chah-nulth. Watts says:  “I’m a simple man, I just want to do good things for my people, and good things for my family. I just want to be the best I can be, at things I enjoy.”

He recently completed a restoration of a traditional Squamish Nation sea canoe. You can check out his handiwork at the Xwu’nekw Canoe Shelter (Whoo-Nay-Oak) in Xwu’nekw Park on Loggers Lane.  

canoe-shelter
Xwu’nekw Canoe Shelter – Photo: District of Squamish

 

Does the canoe have a name?

JW: The canoe’s named after The Copper Man legend. Skwa7ils (skwa-ails) was a Copper Man who had supernatural powers. The name came to one of the men working on the canoe when they were working. The canoe was carved for the Squamish Nation education department a few years ago.

Are there cultural practices when it comes to working on somebody else’s canoe?

JW: Our people have many cultural practice for all kinds of work. We are taught to have a clear mind, a clear heart, a respectful demeanour, and to acknowledge the work of the ones before. Our people have a teaching that we can’t say no to people when they ask us for help, especially in ceremony. Our culture and traditions wouldn’t carry on if everyone put their schedules in front of the balance our culture provides.  

What materials are traditionally used in the building and maintenance of ocean canoes?

JW: Pitch, roots, and wood most plant-based materials that come from the trees around here. However, our people are resourceful. For some, our culture and our people are legitimised only by our tools and materials, but in reality, we are not our tools. We use our tools, the heart of our culture is in what we do. We use power tools and modern commodities like fibreglass because of the convenience. Just like how people don’t ride in a horse and carriage to work.

Does Skwa7ils have any traditional symbolic elements in its colour, shape, detail, or decoration?

JW: Our people use black and red, as those colours represent protection and strength. Those colours are omnipresent through all aspects of our people’s lives, through art, regalia, tools, and vessels. The style of canoe that this is, is said to represent a deer.

 

joshua-watts-drumming
Photo: Breanna Wilson

Have you travelled in open ocean in one of these canoes? What’s it like?

JW: I grew up on the water, racing canoe into my middle teens. It definitely shaped who I am today, by teaching me very important values of our waters. However war canoe (racing) and seagoing are very different. A few years back I went with a group of Squamish people on a journey to Bella Bella–600 nautical miles and 18 days on the water. It was a invaluable experience and I recommend all people take the time to get out and connect with the land more. It provides a clarity that you can’t get anywhere else.

What is your personal duty, your responsibility on a project like this?

JW: Our people believe that knowledge is a responsibility, instead of the more commonly known phrase “knowledge is power.” We believe that if you have the ability to do something, you are obligated to use what you know, and what you have to help others. Our gifts and everything we are given, are borrowed from somewhere.

Did you take visitors or bring snacks or have a soundtrack?        

JW: You know, it wasn’t intended to be a tourist attraction or anything. But for some reason, people felt obligated to come in and share, or just appreciate the work I was doing. As for a soundtrack whenever my bros were around, we’d be sharing some of our songs from our people. We’re a pretty passionate group of singers and we like to sing whenever we’re together.

Did the canoe and your work give you any lessons?

JW: I would like to acknowledge my teacher Ray Natraoro–a wonderful mentor, teacher, and dear friend of mine. He has shown me that our greatest teacher is the wood. The wood shows us things that no one else can. The canoe taught me a lot by working on it, and I am humbled by how much there is to learn.

Why should this canoe be here now?

JW: This dugout traditional canoe is one of the only seagoing canoes in the valley. It is important for our people to continue this oceanic life because our people come from these waters. Our life was by the river, or on the ocean. All life revolves around the water. The ocean provides so much for our people. The canoe guides us through its world. It is essential that our people hold this canoe life with pride and carry this tradition for the sake of our ancestors and future generations.


Video interview with Joshua, courtesy of Surrey 604.

Posted in: ARTS, CULTURE, Heritage, PROFILES Tagged: canoe, Downtown, Squamish Nation

Search Smarter!

Did you know the hottest homes for sale in Squamish often sell within days of being listed? Don't miss out! Set up your own custom property alert so you can be notified of the newest homes as they hit the market! Simply click the button below and choose the qualities that you want most in a home and save your search to start getting alerts today!

Set up Property Alerts

As local Squamish Real Estate Agents we also have access to homes before they hit the market and can show you more homes and information that are only accessible in the MLS. If you would like to set up a time to go over your real estate needs, please free to contact us at your convenience. There is no obligation and or pressure... we hope to hear from you!

Post navigation

« Backcountry Babes
Ground Up Climbing: Indoor Adventures »



Start Your Home Search

Talk To Scott Now

Have a question? Give me a call at 604-815-1985and I will contact you right away.

Quick Search Tools

  • Advanced Search
  • Address Search
  • Home Valuation
  • Interactive Map Search
  • Listing ID #

What is Your Home Worth

Click below to find out what your home is worth, 100% free

Find Out Now!

Client Reviews

I highly recommend working with Alex both as a colleague and as a client

I have had the pleasure of working with Alex over the last couple of years in several different transactions, including one as a colisting partner, which gave me the privilege of seeing both how he works behind the scenes and on the front lines. Alex is an extremely hard worker, he gives every task his

Sophie Squamish June 17, 2018

I would never make a future real estate decision without Scott’s involvement.

Scott gives invaluable real estate advice. Both of his recommendations were spot on. We purchased in the ideal location and at the ideal time. I completely trust his instincts — I would never make a future real estate decision without his involvement.

Laura L Squamish homes August 10, 2018

I trust Scott’s experience!

I trust Scott's experience with Squamish real estate to help me make good investment decisions!

Timothy L. Squamish homes August 10, 2018

I completely endorse Scott

I met Scott by chance and he surpassed my expectations of what a realtor is all about and could do for me. Scott took the time to listen and truly understand what I was looking for. He has extensive knowledge of the Squamish area.

Christine M Squamish homes August 10, 2018

Kind, Caring and Knowledgeable

What a complete pleasure it is to work with Scott ! After being here for 6 months it is better than we could have imagined. I couldn’t recommend Scott more, both personally and professionally and some one we will be delighted to work with in the near future.

Jessica W. Squamish homes August 10, 2018

Alex knows Squamish!

As an Ontario resident moving to Squamish, British Columbia, I was very happy with the service provided by Alex Vark. He, personally, took the time to drive us around the area to familiarize us with the town and various neighbourhoods. His knowledge and patience were most helpful. I recommend Alex as your Squamish Realtor!!

Corinne B Squamish homes January 10, 2019

Positive: Professionalism, Responsiveness

We worked with Alex to purchase a home in Squamish last fall. Alex was amazing. We felt like we were his only clients, and we felt like the purchase of the right home was as important to him as it was for us. Whenever we had a question, Alex was always quick to respond! He

Matt Sprunt Squamish Duplex August 1, 2019

“could not have been a more positive experience for us”

Working with Alex could not have been a more positive experience for us. Alex knew exactly what we were looking for and didn’t waste any time finding us the perfect home. Alex is professional, transparent, and clearly very experienced in the world of real estate. We felt like we were working with a friend rather

Lauren McGill & Max Barron Squamish November 17, 2019

We were very proud to have Alex represent us

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️We were incredibly pleased with Alex's efforts in helping us find a home suitable to our needs. Our experience with Alex was far more desirable than with our previous realtor, who was foreign to Squamish. He provided us with many options, and was very detailed in his analyses of homes that we showed interest in.

Jess and Matt Squamish Townhome April 24, 2020

Dan Patching – Mortgage Broker

I just finished working alongside Alex as he helped my clients sell their condo in Squamish and buy a beautiful townhouse. Not only did he get them an amazing price for both, he also was extremely professional and quick to respond when questions were asked. It was a pleasure working alongside him, and anyone considering

Dan Squamish September 17, 2020

Contact Us Now

MacDonald Realty - Squamish

Scott McQuade

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Scott’s Phone: 604-815-1985
Scott’s Email: scott@squamish.com
Alex’s Phone: 604-848-4997
Alex’s Email: alex@squamish.com

38090 Cleveland Ave
Squamish, BC V8B0A8

Quick Search Tools

  • Advanced Search
  • Address Search
  • Home Valuation
  • Interactive Map Search
  • Listing ID #

Areas We Cover

Squamish, Brackendale, Garibaldi Highlands, Britannia Beach, Valleycliffe

Connect With Us

Scott McQuade Personal Real Estate Corporation © 2021 · Scott McQuade · 604-815-1985 · Privacy Policy · Sitemap · IDX Sitemap · IDX XML Sitemap · Squamish BC Homes for Sale · Agent Center · Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved by Squamish.com Real Estate Group


 

Log in · Real Estate Websites by YourSiteNeedsMe