"Sepass Tales"

[David Robertson]

Subtitled "The songs of Y-Ail-Mihth".  Recorded by Eloise Street.
Chilliwack, BC: Sepass Trust.  (1963)

Page 27-28:
"Then [Chief Sepass] spoke to his son's playmate of years long past in the
Chinook language familiar to them both.  'Mamook chako yahwa' -- 'Come
with me yonder'.

"The grave was marked by a simple headpiece which the old Chief himself
had carved from cedar, carefully making the letters and figures which had
been outlined by Reverend Crosby.  The inscription read simply, 'EDDIE.
1880-1886.'  The old chief spoke simply of the bond of their
friendship.  'Mike delate closhe tillikum' -- 'You were his close
friend.'  There was a moment's silence, and then he spoke again: 'Yaka
klatwa hopa [sic] yaka tillikum' -- 'He has gone to his people'."

Pages 5-6 discuss the Chief's background.  He was born into an Interior
Salish ('Colville') band in the region of Kettle Falls (now Washington
state) around the time of Paul Kane's 1847 visit.  He survived the ensuing
measles epidemic and his band migrated to the Fraser River (now BC).  He
came to be known as 'Chief K'HHalserten Sepass of Tsilli-Way-ukh
(Chilliwack)'.  The above episode must have happened around 1910.

Those interested in Sto:lo (Fraser River / Halkomelem) Salish culture and
language might enjoy reading parts of this little book.  There's a short
vocabulary section and part of the Lord's prayer in Halkomelem, as well as
a number of Jargon words.

--Dave R.

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