During the morning and late afternoon we cruised to the east of Vancouver Island in search of marine life. The most remarkable sighting was of Dall's porpoises, which gently rose at the surface before racing furiously towards the ship then away, perhaps in pursuit of prey. A few of these boldly-marked animals caught the bow wave, and to our surprise, an all-gray individual (presumed to be a hybrid between a Dall's and harbor porpoise) swam alongside the others. Hybrids are known to occur in this region, but it was a thrill to actually see one!
A carving of the Sisiutl, a double-headed sea serpent, overlooks Alert Bay, where we spent the afternoon. This village is home to a community of Kwakwaka'wakw people who shared their culture with us through ceremonial dance and song at their Big House and through exhibits at the U'mista Cultural Center. A Sisiutl decorates the house front at the dancing site, and a carving of another is suspended within the Big House itself. This is a powerful symbol, a mythical beast to be feared and respected. When painted over a doorway it was thought to provide protection for the people within. The Sisiutl ate the flesh of those who saw it, and contact with its blood could turn a person's skin to stone. Yet, for chosen individuals able to control the power, the creature was of great assistance, especially in battle. This image is one of the sea serpent's heads, typically portrayed with extended tongue, curled horn-like structures, and large canine teeth. We left the protection of Alert Bay and the Sisiutl and headed south for more adventures.
