Khot-La Cha: man with a kind heart

For A Change, Dec-Jan, 2000 by Anne Hartnell

Chief Simon Baker, 89, has been called a `Canadian treasure' and is known by his Squamish name Khot-La-Cha, which means `man with a kind heart'. His grandmother, who brought him up, prophesied, `You are going to be a rich man, not in money, but in friends.'

A recipient of The Order of Canada, in 1997, he has been British Columbia's Senior Citizen of the Year. Baker also holds an honorary lifetime membership of the Native Brotherhood of BC and has been given a Doctor of Law degree from the University of British Columbia.

Baker was brought up on the Capilano Reserve in North Vancouver. His leadership skills were revealed at the age of 14 when he organized a strike at his boarding school.

For many years Baker worked as a longshoreman on the Vancouver docks. He was also Chief Councillor of the Squamish Indian Band, working hard to get better housing and financial stability for the Band and people on his reserve.

Baker has always felt the importance of promoting the Indian culture instilled in him by his grandmother. `If it wasn't for my grandmother, I wouldn't have the wisdom and knowledge that I have today,' he confirms. As an Elder, Baker teaches his people about their history and culture. One of his nephews, Chuck Sam, says, `I learnt from Uncle Si how to carry myself with dignity and pride as a Native person.'

Baker has been an unofficial ambassador for his people on visits to many European countries, as well as Hawaii, Japan and New Zealand. Sometimes his family joined him, as well as others from the Squamish Indian Band. With humour, music, dance and talking stick Baker would educate the children and the people he met.

He has been married for 64 years to Emily. They have nine children, 34 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Angela Uren talks of her grandfather's concern for young people. When he visited a school where she was teaching, he met a young First Nations boy who knew nothing of his culture. `He was so inspired by Grandpa who made him feel special. The next day he came to me and said, "Do you know that I am Native. I'm an Indian just like your grandpa."'

Verna Kirkness, who compiled Baker's autobiography, was the founding director of the First Nations House of Learning, which is built in the traditional style of a longhouse. Baker helped to raise funds to build the longhouse and in May 1993 about 2,000 people came to the opening. He is one of the elders for the longhouse. She has established a Khot-La-Cha scholarship from the royalties of the autobiography to help outstanding students to continue their education at college or university.

Harold Calla, Director of Finance for the Squamish Nation, feels that the most important contribution Baker has made is to serve the greater aboriginal community through his work at UBC and with the Friendship Centers. `He has been a statesman and has reached out to all aboriginal peoples in Canada,' he says. The Friendship Centers operate as centres for community, interaction, support and counselling for First Nations people who live in Canada's big cities.

Though frailer in body, Baker still welcomes visitors and is rejuvenated by getting out to events. In April 1999 the North Shore Indians Lacrosse team, of which he is the sole surviving member, will be inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.