Photos and story by Tricia Thomas

Traditional cleansing customs have existed throughout time, in virtually all cultures around the world. Along with medicinal herbs and rituals, bathing practices often play a role in spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. They may be used in times of depression, stress, illness, anxiety, grief, and insomnia as well as to strengthen and promote a sense of balance, vitality, and overall wellbeing.

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Staying healthy through simple, ancient practices can benefit most people, but very few are aware of the traditional teachings. With the advancements of modern medicine, lifestyle changes, and disconnection from community and family, traditional ways have lost their value in everyday life.

Isaac Jack from Penelakut, who agreed to be photographed for this featured article, believes bathing represents not only a cleansing of the physical self, but also the mind. “I go in the water because it helps me to disrupt my ‘normal’ patterns, and altering my normal patterns is a way of expanding my awareness of self. It helps to strengthen the relationship between body and mind.”

Snuneymuxw Chief John Wesley said: “In order for you to find out what really heals you, you have to understand your Coast Salish culture and traditional values.”

As Canada’s fast-growing Aboriginal population becomes more urbanized, younger people need to know where they can go to stay connected and to learn traditional values while living in this changing world. Years of mistrust and disrespect for our culture have led to much protective secrecy by those guarding the old ways. Who will keep traditional knowledge flowing if it is not being shared?

Darren Blaney, a councillor and former chief of Homalco First Nation, said he supported public discussion of topics such as traditional bathing in this magazine and on our social media sites.

“In our part of the Salish Sea, there are many who have lost these traditions and our elder is wanting to teach this in her book [Written as I Remember It, by Elsie Paul]. It is the young people who have lost these ways and they can be reached in social media…If they are inspired by material like this in social media and they heal, what harm is there in that? Without these teachings, they are susceptible to alcohol and drugs…Got to reach the kids. Got to help them.”

Halalt Elder Judy Wilson said: “You have to really believe in our culture and what you are doing…but nowadays, with the industry and population growth, some of our bath waters are disappearing, so using your house water will also work.”

Many of us who live in cities away from nature are at risk of losing touch of our cultural roots. We need more ways of sharing traditional knowledge so that we are able to develop a sense of belonging-of being naut’sa mawt-and connecting to each other and all living things around us. Whatever form those teachings take, we are grateful for them.