 I have come to Tokyo to teach the Japanese people the
way of the west. To elevate them out of the poverty
they are in and help them to reach a better way of life.
I will do this by teaching them humor sarcasm, and wit.
To help me on my quest i have employed a gentleman by
the name of Mr. Yakamoto. He will, in turn, teach me
the way of the samurai. Please enjoy, you are truly
lucky people!
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 The
history of Vancouver Island is an interesting amalgamation
of First Nations and European culture.
It began with Captain Cook's arrival at Nootka Island in
1778 and, subsequently, as English and Spanish explorers
found their way to the lush paradise of the Pacific
Northwest.
Today, the combination of Aboriginal, Spanish and English
heritage is reflected in the place names along the coast.
Saturna, Galiano and Estevan have exotic Spanish
derivation, while Cook, Douglas, Chatham and Cavendish
hearken back to English discovery and governance. Indian
names like Cowichan, Songhees, Haida and Sooke (T'Sou-ke
Nation) come from an Aboriginal population that has
inhabited the Island since the ice age.
If
you stare out at the smoky Sooke Hills on a misty day, or
visit Goldstream Park during the salmon run in November,
it is easy to imagine the life of the First Nations people
on the Island prior to European arrival. In the
Rainforest, where old growth areas have been preserved,
one gets a glimpse of the past, unadulterated by the
changes wrought in this century.
There
are three main First Nations groups on Vancouver Island:
the Kwakwaka'wakw, the Nootka and the Coastal Salish.
Their way of life was based on the generous bounty of the
earth, and their spiritual culture on the natural world.
Visual manifestation of this rich culture is evidenced in
elaborately carved totem poles and beautifully constructed
longhouses that grace the Island. First Nations' artwork,
masks and clothing are appreciated internationally for
their singular beauty.
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