KaKaWin or Killer Whale (Orca) and Thunderbird
KaKaWin or Killer Whale (Orca) is known as the Sea Wolf to the West Coast Indigenous Peoples. These beings have great power over the oceans and the coast as do the wolves on land. They transform into each other at will and some people say they have seen this happen.
I was recently honored to be present at the funeral or passing of a great Haa Wilth or Chief from the region where I live. In the tradition, it is the Sea Wolves or Wolves of the land or both that are called to come in and carry the Chief's Spirit out of this place to the next world or presence.
“Ceremony”
At the funeral, after speeches, remembrances and songs are done, the auditorium goes dark with all the windows blackened and everything is hushed. From outside the building, in the direction of the four corners comes the faint sound of young killer whales. As the sounds from the four corners outside become louder, the rattles and traditional song joins in. Deeper whale song is heard in high and louder pitched song. They join together in the back of the building and as the "Wolves" (aides to the Chief) enter the area, powerful whale songs, wolves howling and the traditional songs and rattles fills the center with the ancient songs.
Time stands still as all the energies merge in the sounds of the whales, wolves, humans and mourners together. It is a joining of these powerful spirits and the ancient songs along with the mourning of the people at the loss and passing into Spirit of a great person. No one else goes with them as the "Wolves" take the casket and body away. Not until the Spirit is carried away and the singing dies off into the outside do the lights come back on and we are left with each other to care for and carry on. Spirits are lifted up and people line up on both sides of the area to offer their condolences, love and care to the families. The place then empties and is prepared for food to feed all in attendance. Outside, people gather and it feels sad but free and somehow so beautiful as we understand that in life or in death everything is united in spirit.
At a previous funeral for another great Chief, a similar ceremony took place, only it was the Wolves of the land in gray blankets with wolf headmasks on who entered howling on all fours into the darkened Hall. The lead Wolf carried a glass ball representing the breath and Spirit of the Chief and at the front of the room, holding it up from under his blanket in both hands, raised it four times for the four seasons of life, then while the singing and rattles joined in with the singing of the wolves and mourning of the families and friends, the Wolves carried the body away. Everyone else remained in place. The wolves, whether of the sea or the land, are the most powerful beings.
Local wolf feeding at low tide
It is such an honor to get a glimpse into the ancient teachings of Indigenous knowledge and cultures. In the Anasasazi or Apachu teachings of the Southwest, there is a song called the "Ohila" that is sung to express loss. It is a beautiful, mournful song that is a combination of the feelings of the person or people feeling the loss and it seems to join in the same spirit of the wolves and whales, all feelings expressed together in voice, heart and emotions to the world. Dogs often show us this song.
My late partner was a beautiful and powerful Indigenous man and through him and many friends and family members, I have been introduced to some of these ancient teachings. My art, my life and my relationship to the natural world have been greatly influenced by these teachings. I am eternally grateful to the people, the land and the wildlife that have given me so much while living here for over 50 years.
Elder Bill Jones leading the people in protest over the logging of the old growth forests of Fairy Creek on Vancouver Island, Canada, 2020