Jonis White, canoe and kayak athlete and member of the Squamish Nation, looks out over the water of Howe Sound as he waits for his grandparents to come unlock the canoe shed.
He has just finished his school day at Learning Expeditions at Sea to Sky Learning Connections, and is getting ready for his daily hour-long training session.
He stands next to the boat launch at the Stawamus Waterfront behind Totem Hall, a spot where his older relatives and ancestors centuries ago pulled their canoes into the lapping waves. It is a history he carries with pride.
The 17-year-old is off to compete in the North American Indigenous Games next month in Toronto as part of Team BC in the under-19 canoe and kayak singles categories. The games, held from July 16 to 23, will involve more than 5,200 athletes, 2,000 volunteers and thousands of spectators from across North America.
The Squamish Chief caught up with White for a chat just before a recent training session to find out more about his sport and his passion for it. What follows is an edited version of that conversation.
Q: How does it feel to have made Team BC for the North American Indigenous Games? That is a big deal. How did you find out you made it?
A: It feels really good. They emailed my mom and then my mom told me. I am a little bit nervous, but I feel good about it. I get to go to Toronto. It will be my second time on a plane.
Q: What was your first thought when you heard you were on the team?
A: Yessssss!
Q: How do you think you will do at the games?
A: I think I will do well. I believe in myself.
Q: When was the first time you were ever out on the water?
A: When I was two years old. I started canoe racing at two. Kayak came later when I tried out for Team BC.
That was the first time I was in a one-person kayak.
Q: For someone who has never been out on the water in a canoe, describe what it feels like.
A: Well, when you first try it, it is super tippy. The water is cold some days, but I got used to it.
Q: What do you like about your sport?
A: I like racing and meeting new people. I like travelling to different places, all over Canada and the U.S. Next weekend we go to Cultus Lake. In two weeks we are going to a canoe race in Lummi, in the States.
Q: What is painted on the canoe you practice on?
A: My grandpa painted snakes on it. We had a story long ago that a giant two-headed sea serpent went up on the Stawamus Chief, so that is why we have that on there. And we named our canoe after a mountain: Mount Cheekye, Mount Garibaldi.
Q: What do you think is the most important characteristic to be good at canoe and kayak racing?
A: Determination.
Q: How do you stay motivated to train out on the water every day? Even on days like today, when it is cold and rainy?
A: I don’t think about it. I just get it done. And I like the rain; I do a lot of stuff in the rain. No weather stops me!
Q: How would you describe your relationship to canoe racing?
A: I am trying to learn my traditions so I can teach the younger ones. I have been helping with that already. I am learning how to skip our canoes – my grandpa is teaching me. My grandma competed too. They just taught me and I liked it. My uncle Steven used to canoe pull too and he used to win mens’ competitions. That is my inspiration.
It just makes me feel good to learn the Squamish Nation traditions and that I can teach younger ones later on.
Q: This is a bit off topic, but what do you make of how much Squamish has changed since you were a kid growing up in Brackendale?
A: I don’t like it. I liked when it was small town Squamish. There’s a lot more buildings, more people.
Q: Other than racing canoes, what do you do for fun?
A: I like paint ball, mountain biking, hiking. I like fishing in local rivers. I am going to start learning how to hunt too soon. I like to do a lot of different stuff. I don’t like sitting still.
