Victoria in Capital, British Columbia — Canadas West Coast (North America)
Sahsima
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2014
1. Sahsima Marker
Sahsima, meaning "harpoon", was the original name identified by Songhees elder James Fraser for the point where the Chinese Cemetery is located. Hayls the Transformer, with spirit companions Raven and Mink, came by in his canoe, frightening away the seal the harpooner had been stalking. The harpooner rebuked them. Hayls turned him to stone as he stood there poised to throw the harpoon, saying, "You'll be boss for seals...from Sooke to Namaimo."
Artwork by Charles Elliott, Temoseng
BC 150 Years, 2008
Erected 2008 by Oak Bay Heritage.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 2008.
Location. 48° 24.388′ N, 123° 19.33′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. It is on Penzance Road 0.4 kilometers south of Crescent Road where Penzance dead ends, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Victoria BC V8S 2H5, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. Globally, it is in North America, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chinese Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chinese Cemetery (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); European exploration in the Strait of Juan de Fuca
this page online
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2014
2. Sahsima Marker Artwork
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2014
3. Sahsima Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2014
4. Harpoon Rock during low tide
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,652 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on July 18, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
