The first time I met Chief Andy Thomas of Esquimalt Nation, I walked into his office to ask for guidance on acknowledging his nation’s traditional territory and honouring his nation.
He sat across from me at his big office desk and said: “Where are you from?” I told him that I didn’t know and that I was adopted, but knew I was Indigenous. He said he knew, too.
We talked about a lot of things, and he offered me guidance about honouring his nation and their traditional territory.
After that day, I didn’t meet Andy in his office anymore. I would go to his house and we would meet at his kitchen table. Whenever I saw him, I was always greeted with a big smile and a hug.
As I did not grow up in an Indigenous community, Andy and his wife Maryanne, took me under their wings and spent many hours with me, letting me ask questions and teaching me about their culture, protocols and, most importantly, respect for their ancestors.
Through my cultural work with Andy and Maryanne, I did find out where I was from, and connected with a biological sister. They said it was a gift I received from the ancestors, and I believe them.
The day before he passed away, I sat at his kitchen table on a Friday afternoon. Maryanne told me to meet Andy and he would offer guidance to my questions. As always, meeting Andy for guidance ended up being much more than that.
He shared stories and laughed and laughed. As he was laughing to the point of tears in his eyes, I thought to myself how happy he looked. When I left, I gave him a big hug and said goodbye.
The next morning, I awoke to the news that he had died. I felt disbelief, thinking maybe they had gotten the wrong name; they must have. I thought to myself: “I was just there yesterday, and he was so happy.”
Andy was the chief of Esquimalt Nation for 47 years. I don’t know if Greater Victoria has ever seen another leader who has been so committed for so long.
I admired Andy’s dedication to his family and his community. He had many stories he would share, and if you listened closely, every story was a lesson.
The impact Andy had on me will last forever and I am just one person. I can’t imagine how many people’s lives have been affected by him and continue to be.
Andy was a teacher. He would share his knowledge with anyone who was truly willing to listen and learn. Andy shared his knowledge and teachings with others to ensure the messages were heard and passed on to others.
The first step to reconciliation is opening the lines of communication and being willing to share. When I met Andy and Maryanne in their home, often other people would come to the house for meetings, as well.
Andy was open about sharing information. This act is what knocks down barriers and brings people closer together. When you think about the big picture of reconciliation, I think this is the first piece.
Sometimes, I would turn to Andy for guidance and he would tell me that I already had the answer and it was up to me to determine it.
He had a gift of knowing what to share and what to leave for others to figure out on their own.
Andy spent a lot of time teaching me. I could call and ask for a meeting, and he would always make time for me. I often told him that I would share his teachings with others.
I would tell him: “Anyone who learns from you should share your words. You are just one person and it’s a big job to get the message out.”
He was a leader who put his community and his family first. He was such a proud husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.
Andy was a pillar of not only the community of Esquimalt Nation, but our entire region. Whether you met him or not, you would have felt his impact on our community, and he will be deeply missed.
Charla Huber works in communications and Indigenous relations for M’akola Group of Societies.
