Baton reaches its final destination

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On Thursday, August 18th, Vancouver Island's three First Nations - the Coast Salish, Nuu-cha-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw Nations - came together in a powerful display of tradition and unity.

Representatives, dressed in ceremonial regalia, delivered the Queen's baton to the inner harbor of Victoria city, to mark the start of the XV Commonwealth Games.

The baton was hand carved in silver by Native artists Richard Hunt, Charles Elliot and Art Thompson.

"It's a dream fulfilled for the three of us," said Thompson. "It's a wonderful feeling to have all three (First) Nations represented on the baton."

The long, often incredible journey of the Queen's baton began last March in England. There the Queen enclosed a written message in the baton, which she later read at the Game's opening ceremonies.

The baton traveled through every country considered part of the Commonwealth. It journey by dog sled, was carried by scuba divers, and transported in canoe.

On August 4, the baton left Fort Rupert on the north end of Vancouver Island to journey 14 days down the coast of the Island. Along the way, more canoes joined the expedition until there were approximately 30 canoes entering Victoria Harbor to be welcomed by Willie Seymour of the Chamainus Band.

"Those great warriors have journeyed on the highways of our forefathers," said Seymour. "It has been a journey of healing, a journey of unity, a journey of respect."

Wayne Morris, 10, of the Tsartlip Band, carried the baton up the boardwalk to a blessing ceremony. His father, Ivan Wayne, had carried the Canadian flag at the opening ceremonies of the 1990 Auckland, New Zealand-based games.

More than 40 athletes, including some on wheelchairs, took turns carrying the baton in its final run from the harbor to the University of Victoria, where the opening ceremonies were held. Double Olympic gold medalist, Myriam Bedard, who is six months pregnant, was the last to run with the baton. Bedard delivered the baton to the Queen before 34,000 spectators who came to witness the opening ceremonies.