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Chief Simon Baker's traditional Squamish name, "Khot-La-Cha" is also the name of a second generation business owned and operated by the daughter Nancy Nightengale on the Capilano Indian Reserve. Khot-La-Cha means "Kind Heart" in the Squamish Language, and a warm welcome awaits visitors to our premises. Chief Baker is the direct descendant of Chief Joe Capilano, a respected leader who was prominent in the early land claims. Chief Capilano traveled to London, England in 1906 to present his people's case to king Edward VII. Chief Simon Baker carries on this family Tradition. He has traveled around the World several times as an ambassador of goodwill for the Canadian people Renowned Squamish Elder Passes With the passing of Squamish Elder, Chief Simon Baker, British Columbia lost one of its greatest cultural figures. In Khot-La-Cha : The autobiography of Chief Simon Baker, author and educator Verna Kirkness, described Baker as "an ambassador of his own culture and the human spirit." Simon Baker was indeed these things and much more. He was the last of the great "North Shore Indians," famed for their achievements in Canadian lacrosse during his youth of the 1930's. A dedicated husband and family man, Baker worked as a longshoreman for forty-one years, eventually rising to the position of superintendent of Canadian Stevadoring. He was a prime mover in organizing the first public pow wows and sporting events for Canadian First Nations. A tireless volunteer, Simon Baker served as spokesperson for countless community projects and organizations. Chief Baker served as councillor to the Squamish Nation for over 30 years, ten of which he served as chairman. So revered by his people, he was the only Squamish member designated "Chief for Lifetime." He is the recipient of numerous of numerous awards and special recognitions. He was a two-time recipient of the British Columbia Centennial Award of Merit for 1958 and 1971. He was named to the Order of Canada in 1977 and was granted an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from the University of BC in 1990. He was a revered elder for the First Nations House of Learning and the Native Indian Teacher Education Program (NITEP) at UBC for many years, sharing his wisdom through stories and songs. He assisted in fundraising for the UBC First Nations Longhouse through his extensive network of contacts. In May 2009, Chief Baker was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame as the only surviving member of the celebrated 'North Shore Indians' of 1936 for recognition of his achievements as "Cannonball Baker," star lacrosse player of the team. In March 2000, Chief Baker received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Heritage and Spirituality. As an ambassador of West Coast aboriginal culture, Baker travelled across western Europe, New Zealand and Japan throughout the 1970's and 80's, promoting aboriginal culture and heritage to the world. In his autobiography, Simon explained the importance of family and home in the retention of his cultural heritage. " In order for me to keep the teachings of our elders, I had to keep coming home. After I left school , I had to accept the things that my grandmothers keep reminding me of, my grass roots. I tried to practice what they taught me, keeping up my culture from the teachings of my elders. I was glad to listen, to obey and practice our way. I still have the knowledge, wisdom and philosophies of our elders. I had to keep learning my own culture, my language." Khot-La-Cha, his Squamish name for " Man with a Kind Heart", is survived by his wife of 71 years Emily, one sister, nine children, 38 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. He passed away on Wednesday, May 23, 2001.
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Khot-la-cha
(Man with the Kind Heart) was born on the Capilano Reserve. Much
of his life has been spent keeping First Nations culture alive,
not only among his own people, but in the hearts and minds of the
general population. An ambassador of his culture and of the human
spirit, Baker served his people as councillor and chairman of the
Squamish Indian Band for 40 years. He has worked in Canada and
abroad as a fisherman, longshoreman, public lecturer, actor and
performer. He founded the Northwest Coast Indian Cultural Society,
the first such organization in B.C. First Nations people across
the continent have shown their appreciation and respect for Simon
Baker by bestowing upon him such titles as honourary Chief of the
Sechelt Nation, and honourary member of the Oshewekan Nation
Lacrosse Family of Ontario. He also has an honourary lifetime
membership in the Native Brotherhood of B.C., and in 1989 was
named King of Elders in B.C. The University of British Columbia
has benefited from his invaluable advice and counsel on such
projects as the First Nations House of Learning and the Native
Indian Teacher Education Program. His support of his family and
constant generosity of time and spirit know no bounds. This same
energy emerges though his volunteer work for myriad church groups
and charitable organizations.
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