Mount Arrowsmith Massif Park Dedication Ceremony

To Chief Casavant and to the Hupacasath First Nations People,

I would like to thank you for the honour of choosing me to be the person to cut the cedar bark ribbon, at the Mount Arrowsmith Massif Park dedication ceremony. Until my name was called, I had no idea that I would be chosen and it was a total surprise to me, so please accept my apologies for not being a more thankful in the moment.

To get this recognition, from the people that are truly part of the weft and warp of this land, is an honour beyond anything given to me, regarding this mountain, so far to date. I have stated that I consider myself a steward of the mountain and that "Kuth-Kah-Chulth" has become part of my soul and I have been quoted as saying, "I spent so much time on the mountain that I came to refer to it as ‘my mountain’, not so much as me claiming ownership, but maybe more so of the mountain having ownership over me."

I think that is part and parcel of a stewardship role, in that the land owns the people, instead of the reverse.

Thank you for the recognition and honour you have bestowed upon me.

-- Peter Rothermel, Qualicum Beach