John H. Cayou, Sr. ‘Lah-wha-xa-luk’. On Tuesday, June 24, 2008, the great creator called upon our beloved elder to join his ancestors.
John H. Cayou, Sr. was 81 years of age. He was born to General Scott and Sara Jack Cayou. John grew up on Stuart Island, however his family moved all around the San Juan Islands to fish, farm and hunt. The Cayou family had a home stead on Orcas Island where his grandparents resided. The family traveled often by canoe to Vancouver Island B.C. for family reunions and ceremonial gatherings.
His educational experience was at the School House on Stuart Island; he received his work ethics and traditional teachings from his parents and his aunts and uncles.
John was employed for several years as a packer for various Cedar Shake Mills within Skagit County.
His true passion was Commercial Fishing, he loved to be on the water. He spent time reef netting, gill netting and crabbing to provide for his family. John went wood cutting, clam digging, hunting and gathering berries every year to store for the winter months.
In 1948 John became a member of the Longhouse culture; he was one of the oldest dancers today. He helped uncountable amounts of people to change their lives for the better through their initiations. He dedicated his life to restoring the old teachings and preserving the culture for the future generations. John traveled through out the Northwest and British Columbia to pray for his people. He was well known as a spiritual healer with in our Native communities.
He was also an active member of the Shaker Church. John had many extra curricular activities including canoe racing, stick gaming, wood work, gardening, and playing bingo. In his younger days he became a skipper for the Lone Eagle Canoe Club.
He also trained and coached Swinomish girls fast pitch softball; they traveled to many softball tournaments together. He and his wife loved to play Bingo at the Swinomish Bingo Hall where they made many life long friends. John had a talent for making fish sticks for Bar-b-que Salmon and spent time with Francis Peters cooking salmon for community gatherings. He loved to play traditional stick games with friends and family. He taught his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to participate and have fun. John joined in partnership with his companion and best friend Ethyl Charles in 1992. They were always together and had a special way of teasing one another. They touched many lives and became grandpa and granny to many. He was married twice and had 9 children combined. He was loving and caring; he never had bad feeling towards anyone. His pride and joy were his great-grandchildren, he drove them to school, took them fishing and shared his many teachings with them. They traveled with him to West Shore, Nooksack and Tulalip for pow-wows. Everyone who came into contact with John Cayou, Sr. became part of his family, he loved and respected everyone. He was referred to as ‘Uncle John’ by everyone.
John is survived by his longtime companion, Ethyl Charles of La Conner. His children and their spouses, John & Gwen Cayou, Jr. of Sedro-Woolley, Jean & Melvin Jimmy of La Conner, Richard & Barb Cayou of La Conner, Jerry & Bonnie Cayou of Nooksack, Wally & Eva Cayou of Auburn, Josephine Cayou of La Conner, Frank & Lucy Cayou of Swinomish, Ray & Denise Cayou of Vancouver, Island, B.C. and Renee & Brian Zimmerman of Longview. His brother, Chester Cayou, Sr. and his sister, Susan Billy, both of Swinomish. 32 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parent;, his wife Madeline; son, Edward; two daughters, Roberta Murchison & Elsie Brown and four grandchildren, Henry, Joseph & Kelsy Cayou and Cecilia Rose Spencer.
Prayer services will be held on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 7:00 PM followed by Funeral Services on Saturday, June 28th at 10:00 AM at the Swinomish Indian Gymnasium. Interment will follow at the Swinomish Indian Cemetery.