Rosie Cayou James made her journey today, December 2, at 3:15am, one day after her 75th birthday, surrounded by family and friends in her home on Guemes Island. An elder of the Coast Salish peoples and a descendant of tribes that live on these sacred islands, Rosie calls Guemes a "healing island," her maternal grandfather's birthplace. She returned because she wanted to be closer to the sacred places her ancestors walked and lived. Returning home honors the ancestors, who were taken from these islands. Though their bodies were removed, their spirits remain. She wanted to give comfort to them, to remind them that they have not been forgotten. Her connection to the many islands and communities across Coast Salish territories is deeply spiritual and this connection is passed on to the many people she calls family.

"Blending the knowledge of our ancestors with the new cultures around us is a delicate balance. The way I see it, we are constantly in danger of losing that connection if we don’t keep it fluid. It’s like the flow of a river—it must keep moving, adapting, while still maintaining its core essence." Rosie taught us, "History is like a handful of sand, if we lose even one grain, that history changes, it loses part of its life. The river, on the other hand, is constantly renewed by rain and snow, never losing its spirit, just changing. That’s how we must be. We must observe, absorb, and keep learning. And we must never forget the sacredness of our culture, of the land."

Your gifts will support Rosie’s family as they prepare for the days of gathering and funeral. Please help honor Rosie’s legacy and support her family during this sacred time.

Hóy7sxwq'e, tigʷicid, Thank you

**The family requests that following traditional protocol, we refrain from posting photos of Rosie and Julian (Bill) for one year.**