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Journa onolo oy Natahe Johnson
Mike Mott, right, Mason County Fire
District 18 chief, presented Kaitlynn
Lewis, center and Hallie Clinton, left,
with "Hero Awards" and necklaces to
recognize their actions to save a boy who
was drowning in May.
Fire district honors gins
By NATALIE JOHNSON
natalie@mc~oncounty.conz
Journa pnoto oy Natahe Johnson
A canoe family from the Tsartlip Tribe in Victoria B.C., led by Flo Tom at the microphone on
Tuesday, dedicated their journey to Tom's grandson Webster Thompson, who recently died.
Many groups at the potlatch protocol spoke of the healing power of the canoe journeys.
Journal photo Dy Natalie Johnson
A canoe family from the Songhees Nation in
Victoria B.C. dedicated their journey to their
tribe's chief, Robert Sam, who died the day
they were supposed to set off on the journey.
Canoe Krise said tribes located
in urban areas often see the
Continued from page A-1 journeys and the protocols
as a way to get back to their
their sorrow, their loss," he roots.
said. "We need to come and
share with each other," he them. While some members
said. "It's revitalizing our sang the song, the children
youth." in the group invited mem-
During the potlatch proto- bers of the audience to dance
col on Tuesday, representa- with them.
tives from Kw'umut Lelum Members of the Songhees
Child and Family Services, Nation, from Victoria, B.C.,
located in south Vancou- made the journey in honor
ver Island, sang songs and of their chief, Robert Sam,
danced, who died on July 9, the day
While their canoe family they had planned to leave for
had to go home early, leaders the canoe journey, said canoe
from the group attended the family member Mike Char-
prot9col with foster children lie.
from the Kw'umut Lelum The group mourned their
Child and Family Services' loss. and almost cancelled
nine member nations, the trip. But Sam was a ca-
"They're all taken away noe family member and they
from their community. This felt they had to continue,
helps them culturally," said Charlie said.
Freda Robinson, of the fami- 'Tee left one seat open all
ly services group. "It's a heal- the way we paddled." he said.
ing experience for everyone. Charlie said the Songhees
It still is for me." Nation has a small canoe
The first song the group family, but they're working
sang was a prayer asking for to expand.
healing. The second song the 'Tge hope we can keep
group described as their an- growing," he said. "This is
my life every summer."
When two teen girls saved a younger boy from
drowning at Lake Kokanee on May 12, there was no
911 call, so law enforcement and emergency service
personnel could not congratulate them.
On Saturday, Chief Mike Mott of Mason County
Fire District 18 at Lake Cushman made up for lost
time, saluting Hallie Clinton and Kaitlynn Lewis.
both 14, for their selfless act.
"I think it's phenomenal." he said. "In this day and
age when everyone's afraid of getting sued ... these
two jumped into action and didn't even think about it."
Saturday morning, about two dozen members of
the fire district, the Lake Cushman community and
those who were at Lake Kokanee on that day in June
showed up to honor the girls.
Lake Cushman resident Tami Close was at Lake
Kokanee that day and saw the rescue firsthand.
"My daughter and I .were there," she said. "We
heard this lady screaming on the other side of the
dock. 'he's drowning."
Witnesses said the boy, who appeared to be 7 or
8 years old, did not stay underwater, for an extended
length of time, but was having trouble treading water
and could not swim back to the dock.
"These ladies jumped into action," Close said.
The girls worked together to bring the boy to safe-
ty, she said.
"You saved his life. It was a remarkable experi-
ence. I thank you." an emotional Close said to Lewis
and Clinton.
In addition to certificates proclaiming the' girls he-
roes for their actions, Mort bought them both necklac-
es with a pendant that was a heart with angel wings.
"A certificate is something that can get rtfined ...
get ripped," he said.
The mother and her son did not attend the recogni-
tion. Mort said they left quickly after the incident and
did not leave their names or any way to be contacted.
Clinton and Lewis spoke humbly about their act.
"At first it didn't seem like it was that big of a thing but
looking back now.., it all happened so fast." Clinton said.
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