Joe Capilano

Joe Capilano (1850 - 1910), was a leader of the Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish). To his people he was known as "Sa7plek" (Sahp-luk).

He spent his youth fishing and hunting. Joe came to work in the sawmill at Moodyville, a booming pioneer settlement in what is now the Lower Lonsdale area of the City of North Vancouver. Similar to many aboriginals, he had to adjust to the new and powerful world of the white man while remaining true to his ancient roots and culture. An intelligent man and a powerful speaker, in 1895 he was appointed by the Catholic Church as a leader of people on a local reserve whose undisputed and respected chief he remained until his death.Fact|date=April 2008 All his life he fought for the recognition of Native rights and lifestyle.

In 1906 he, along with Cowichan Chief Charley Isipaymilt and Secwepemc Chief Basil David, traveled to Ottawa, then after that London, to meet with King of England Edward VII to speak of the urgent need to settle the land question in BC. The people at the time felt that he would not be able to seek an audience because he lacked a "prestigious" title like "chief". So before he left, they gave him the name "Kiyapalanexw". This is where the word "Capilano" derives from. During his trip, he became known as Joe "Capilano" by my local white settlers. Upon his return, he continued to be known as "Chief" Joe Capilano. Joe Capilano died of tuberculosis in 1910.

Legacy

A number of landmarks on Vancouver's North Shore are named in his honour, among them Capilano Lake, one of the sources of Vancouver's water supply, Capilano River, Capilano Mall, as well as Capilano Road running parallel up the east side of the river to the popular Grouse Mountain ski resort from the Capilano Indian Reserve (Xwemelch'stn), adjacent to the Lions Gate Bridge.

"Legends of Vancouver", a collection of Coast Salish, particularly Sḵwxwú7mesh, stories by Pauline Johnson, a local poet of Mohawk origin, was based on Joe's tales, told to Pauline, she says in her book. Pauline and Joe would go canoeing together in Burrard Inlet and Lost Lagoon which was a tidal pond at the time. They originally met when spent his few months in London trying to seek an audience with the king. They later became friends and she traveled to the West Coast and learned the basis for her stories of the Sḵwxwú7mesh people.

See also

* Xwemelch'stn
* Sḵwxwú7mesh
* August Jack Khatsahlano
* Dan George
* Capilano

Foonotes

Bibliography

* Barman, Jean. "Stanley Park's Secrets". Habour Publishing, 2005. ISBN 978155074205.
* Mathews, Major J.S. "Conversations with Khahtsahlano, 1932-1954". Out-of-Print, 1955. ASIN: B0007K39O2.
* E. Johnson, Pauline. "Legends of Vancouver". IndyPublish.com (March 28, 2005). ISBN 978-1414247922.