Under the late-morning sun at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford, BC, we gathered this past Saturday to honour Elder Pascal Adam and recognize his unwavering efforts to help people in prison and the community.

Elder Mary Fayant, who led the ceremony, opened in prayer. She recognized that Mill Lake Park is within the ancestral territory of the Matsqui First Nation and thanked the Matsqui people for welcoming us to their lands. She also asked attendees from First Nations to stand up and introduce themselves.

Attendees included Sts’ailes Elders: Elder Virginia Peters, who is Elder at Kwìkwèxwelhp, and her son Elder Boyd Peters, who is a member of the BC First Nations Justice Council. Among the other Nations represented at the ceremony were Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Matsqui First Nation, and, of course, Secwepemc, which is Elder Pascal’s Nation.

Our Executive Director, Raymond Robyn, represented his people, the Khoi San, who are among the first inhabitants of South Africa. He wore a traditional garment and closed the ceremony with a hymn, “Hallelujah Nkateko,“ in the Shangaan language.

Other guests included Herta Adam (Pascal’s wife); MLA Pam Alexis; staff from M2/W2 Association, John Howard Society, and Correctional Service Canada; and many of Elder Pascal’s friends and family.

Elder Ceremony

The ceremony featured the sounds of drums and voices; a feast of salmon, elk, and pizza; and many kind (and true!) words about Elder Pascal.

“We recognize people, Elders, while they are here,” Elder Mary said. She called forward eight witnesses and explained that each had been given a bag that would be filled with quarters. The quarters represent the story of the ceremony, of honouring Elder Pascal. “Remember what you saw here today,” she said, and asked them to tell others about the ceremony.

One of the witnesses, Adam Strider, who is Program Manager at John Howard Society, thanked Elder Pascal for doing the good work of healing and helping. “You put your heart into your work and you bring people together,” he said. “To give so much of yourself to so many in so many ways, you’ve been a role model to me. You keep my heart in my work.”

As a sign of humility and service, Elder Mary washed Elder Pascal’s feet. With clean feet, Pascal was now ready to walk softly in the world. Next Elder Mary tied a blanket around Elder Pascal’s shoulders, and gave an eagle feather to Herta and asked her to tie it into his headband. The eagle feather is a symbol of respect; it represents the presence of an eagle flying with Elder Pascal, guiding him as he serves people in the community. Guests pinned money to the blanket, recognizing that Pascal is a working Elder.

Elder Pascal received gifts—a blanket from the staff at Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village, a painted drum, a wooden box. Herta also received a blanket and a jar of cherries.

From all of us at M2/W2 Association, we want to say thank you to Elder Mary for leading the ceremony; to Eric and Sean for drumming; to Dwayne for preparing the food (and also drumming); and to all the guests for being present.

To Elder Pascal, we want to once again say thank you. You have served others in prisons and in the community for decades and we honour your wisdom, honesty, loyalty, and compassion.