IMdian Ceremonies Mark Presentation
to U.S. President Harry Cruman

When President Harry S. Truman Visited the State of Washington Some
Time Ago, News Photographs Showed Him Wearing a Cowichan Indian
Sweater While Out Salmon Fishing—Indians of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan
Band Decided That the President of the Republic to the South Should Have
a Genuine Cowichan Sweater—Later at a Colourful Ceremony U.S. Consul
Troy Perkins of Victoria Accepted the Sweater on Behalf of the President—

-ESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN be-
ne Chief of Peace of the Cowichan
fians and through Troy L. Perkins,
S. Consul at Victoria, was presented
th a handsome sweater when tribes
mm the Duncan area joined in a colour-
revival of old native songs and dances
the Vancouver Island town December
d last.

Twelve ‘hundred visitors, many of
iom were from Victoria, crowded the
incan Agricultural Hall to witness the
sctacle, which was the first full-scale
dian festival ever to be seen by most
them.

To the rhythmic beat of ancient Indian
ums made from deer-skin stretched
er cedar frames, men and women of
e five bands of Indians which make up
e Salish or Cowichan tribe, performed
brightly-beaded costumes the ancient

Here’s an Account of the Proceedings.

tribal dances, chanting their songs as they
went through weird and complicated
gyrations which at times sent shivers
through the audience of “pale faces.”

Cuter Gives SWEATER

Chief Fred Thorne of the Somenos
band made the presentation of the intri-
vately designed Cowichan sweater for
President Truman to Consul Perkins,
and also named the President Thaightethe
Sieye or Chief of Peace.

With the sweater, which was sent to
the President, was a scroll with the
message, in Chinook: “Okooke icta delate
warm, karkwa nesika tumtum kopa mika
pe mika illihie,” which translated means :
“This garment is very warm, like unto
our thoughts towards you and your
country.”

The sweater, knitted by Mrs. Patrick

.C. Police Guard of Honour on the occasion
Duncan, V.I., B.C. Extreme left, Inspr. R. O

IFTEENTH EDITION

of the presentation of a Cowichan Indian sweater to President Truman, December 2,

wen in charge of “A” Division. Extreme right, Corpl. J.

Charlie, was a heavy garment with a
zipper front. An eagle design was woven
into the back, and two peacocks on the
front.

In addresses by Mayor George Savage
of Duncan, and F. G. Aldersey, president
of the Dunean Chamber of Commerce,
it was explained that the presentation of
the sweater was the result of a trip by
the President to the west coast when he
borrowed an Indian sweater to wear
when he went fishing.

“We want him to have a real Cowichan
Indian sweater for his fishing and hunt-
ing trips, and we hope that some day
he will come and fish the waters of
Cowichan,” said Mr. Aldersey.

Mayor Savage officially welcomed Mr.
Perkins to Duncan and in speaking of
the friendly bonds existing between the
United States and Canada, said: “It is

1945, at
A. Henry, I/C Duncan Detachment.

Courtesy B.C. Government Travel Bureau, Victoria, B.C.

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