Whether or not you’re a supporter of the Olympics, it’s kind of hard to not go watch the torch come ashore in a traditional Haida canoe when it’s in your small town. It’s not like there are dozens of other exciting things going on around the island at the same time. So without any conflicting social engagements, Jay, Chris and I left our house at 6:30am to join a good size group in Skidegate to welcome the torch. The weather couldn’t have been better – the sun rose partly behind mountain, partly from the calm, pearly morning water. It feels good to be outside.

sunrise in Skidegate

And while I could go into a tirade about my personal opinion about the Olympics, I’d rather reflect on being a (new) part of a community who seems to be thoroughly embracing the occasion. Little kids are coming out in their mini button blankets, while elders in traditional regalia are sipping coffees and giggling at their own jokes. And as the numbers rise so do the number of folks wearing button blankets and cedar hats. People seem genuinely happy to be a part of this historic moment.

Soon the canoe, chaperoned by a few other escort boats, peers around the corner and heads into open water before turning the coming towards the beach, and as it does the thunder of the drums becomes more audible. The female singers on the shore begin their chorus, welcoming the flame. The torch is very modern and sleek looking (not like the classic Greek torch that I had pictured in my mind) and I soon learn that there are 6 torches, each one only lasts 10 minutes before it lights another torch and gets re-fueled. This seems like a pretty inconvenient design flaw to me, but I guess it means more people get to have the job of making sure the darn thing stays lit.

Singers in buttonblankets

Chief Percy brings the torch ashore, and while I have not heard of this Chief until now, all of what I hear is praise. He’s a short, sweet-faced man with a mop of white hair, and he seems to almost immediately become swallowed in the crowd – only his small hand visible holding the torch above his head. The singers sing on and as the drums build I feel their beat reverberate off my heart. I have experienced this before with the drums and at times am moved to tears. I’d never tell Jay this, because the mere thought of me in tears makes him uncomfortable, even though the tears I am talking about are the ‘good’ kind.

I am happy I decided to be a part of the community to welcome the torch. Heck, I even got to pose with the 001 runner and one of the torches! As the next torch carrier runs down the main road a roar of cheers fills the air and people start to follow it on its journey to Charlotte City. I bid the little flame adieu – “Good luck on your big trip across the county lil’ guy!!”

me and the torch