Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
The B.C. government starts off a week of National Aboriginal Day celebrations today with a feast and honouring ceremony for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit public sector employees at the Royal BC Museum, home to the First Peoples’ languages exhibit, Our Living Languages.
“Aboriginal staff enrich us as a government and we are grateful for their contributions,” said Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad. “They enhance our ability to serve the province’s growing Aboriginal population and deepen our understanding of how to form respectful relationships that benefit all British Columbians.”
For generations, Aboriginal peoples have celebrated their culture and heritage to coincide with the summer solstice, prompting June 21 to be officially declared National Aboriginal Day. British Columbians are encouraged to join Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in honouring the unique cultures, heritage and contributions of Aboriginal people.
“Insight, diversity, cultural knowledge and experience. This is what First Nation, Métis and Inuit employees share with their colleagues across government,” said Rustad. “Paying tribute to their contributions and the many ways Aboriginal employees work to improve British Columbia every day is a fitting start to the series of events taking place in the lead-up to National Aboriginal Day.”
(flickr.com)
Quick Facts:
- Aboriginal people have lived in the area we now call British Columbia for over 10,000 years.
- British Columbia is home to 203 First Nations.
- It’s estimated that 60% of the First Nations languages in Canada are spoken in British Columbia. More than 30 First Nation languages and close to 60 dialects are spoken in the province.
- Aboriginal youth are the fastest growing demographic of all British Columbians.
- Of the more than 232,000 Aboriginal people in B.C., the 2011 National Household Survey reports that 67% are First Nations, 30% are Métis and just under 1% are Inuit.
- Although First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.
- National Aboriginal Day celebrations began in 1996, when it was proclaimed a national celebration by then Governor General Roméo LeBlanc.
Learn More:
National Aboriginal Day: http://ow.ly/OctFd
Royal B.C. Museum, “Our Living Languages”: http://ow.ly/OctXc
A backgrounder follows.
Media Contacts:
Media Relations
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 213-7724
BACKGROUNDER
National Aboriginal Day events held throughout B.C.
Free National Aboriginal Day 2015 events in B.C. include:
Communities across B.C.
June 15-28
The First Nations Health Authority is promoting 112 wellness events throughout B.C. between June 15-28th centered around National Aboriginal Day. Activities include run/walks, pit cooking, canoe races, fish-gutting contest, medicinal plant walks, drum making, sharing healthy meals, traditional medicine scavenger hunt, talent shows, teepee building, entertainment, storytelling, crafts, and hand games tournaments. An estimated 20,000 people are expected to take part.
http://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/events/day-of-wellness
Vancouver - Canada Place
June 20 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Drumming, drum making, dance, carving workshops, storytelling, marketplace, performances by many local and national artists including Alex Wells - international champion hoop dancer, Andrea Menard, Sister Says and Chinook SongCatchers.
http://www.canadaplace.ca/Events/National_Aboriginal_Day_Celebration
Vancouver - Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, 639 Hornby Street
June 21 - 1-5 p.m.
Join the live audience as radio host Gunargie O’Sullivan interviews Chief Beau Dick, Audrey Siegl, artists Corey Bulpitt and Gwaai Edenshaw, story teller Corrine Keeling, and Ta'kaya Sierra Blaney. O'Sullivan will talk with these artists and knowledge holders who will share their art and cultures of the Northwest Coast. The radio program will air on co-op stations from Vancouver to Halifax. Listen live in Vancouver on: www.coopradio.org or: www.cjsf.ca
More information is available via e-mail at: info@billreidgallery.ca or 604 682-3455.
Vancouver - Trout Lake Community Centre
June 21 - starting at 9 a.m.
Entertainment, children’s activities, pow wow dancing with drum group, arts and crafts fair, and canoe demonstration. Pancake breakfast begins at 9 a.m. Walk from the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre on Hasting Street to Trout Lake Community Centre begins at 11 a.m.
www.vafcs.org/events/aboriginalday/
Royal BC Museum - Aboriginal Cultural Festival
June 19-21 - 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Celebration of Aboriginal peoples, arts and culture including performances presented by hosts Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations, artisan fair and outdoor dining area. The festival coincides with the one-year anniversary of the opening of Our Living Languages: First Peoples’ Voices in BC, a groundbreaking, interactive exhibition celebrating the resilience and diversity of First Nations languages in B.C. in the face of change. http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/events/aboriginal-cultural-festival-2/
Open Space Gallery, 510 Fort Street, 2nd floor
June 19 - doors open at 7 p.m., performance starts at 8 p.m.
Tahltan Nation artist Peter Morin presents the Tahltan Song Cycle, a performance and exhibition that examines the power of traditional songs and their eventual repatriation to the land that inspired their creation. The Tahltan Song Cycle began with an archive of Tahltan songs, recorded in 1910 and stored at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. For the past two years, Morin has been performing and singing these songs around the world as acts of repatriation. www.openspace.ca/Tahltan_Song_Cycle
Victoria Native Friendship Centre, 231 Regina Avenue
June 23 - 6:30 p.m.
Free talk for Aboriginal parents, educators and others about the value of culture and reading by David Bouchard, C.M., M. Ed., author of over 40 books, story-teller, former teacher, public speaker and Member of the Order of Canada.
http://www.vnfc.ca/downloads/aborig-history-month-poster-2.pdf
Royal Jubilee Hospital, Patient Care Centre Atrium - All Nations Healing Room
June 19 - 12 - 2 p.m.
Event will feature traditional dancing and food, staff recognition activities and an opportunity to meet members of the Aboriginal health and employment teams.
www.viha.ca/about_viha/news/event_calendar.htm
Duncan - Cowichan District Hospital, front lawn
June 18 - 12 - 2 p.m.
Event will feature traditional dancing and food, staff recognition activities and an opportunity to meet members of the Aboriginal health and employment teams.
www.viha.ca/about_viha/news/event_calendar.htm
Duncan - Celebration Events, 5574 River Road
June 19 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cowichan Tribes is hosting a free lunch, bouncy castles, climbing wall, children’s craft corner, games, bird house building and entertainment.
Nanaimo - Bowen Park, picnic area off of Wall Street
June 21 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre is hosting the first Celebrating Success event to recognize the achievements of Aboriginal students.
Port Alberni - West Coast General Hospital
June 17 - 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Event will feature dancing, cedar weaving demonstrations by Aboriginal artisans, staff recognition activities and an opportunity to meet members of the Aboriginal health and employment teams.
www.viha.ca/about_viha/news/event_calendar.htm
Port Alberni - Clutesi Hall
June 22 - 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The Port Alberni Friendship Centre is hosting an event featuring a traditional feast, fashion show, bouncy castle, music, door prizes, entertainment, 50/50 draw, vendors and artisans.
www.pafriendshipcenter.com/sites/default/files/Aboriginal%20Day%202015%20poster.pdf
Port Alberni - West Coast General Hospital
June 17 - 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Event will feature dancing, cedar weaving demonstrations by Aboriginal artisans, staff recognition activities and an opportunity to meet members of hospital’s Aboriginal health and employment teams. www.viha.ca/about_viha/news/event_calendar.htm
Port Hardy - Port Hardy Hospital, boardroom and cafeteria
June 15 - 12-2 p.m.
Event will feature traditional food, dancing, cedar weaving demonstrations by Aboriginal artisans, staff recognition activities and an opportunity to meet members of the Aboriginal health and employment teams. www.viha.ca/about_viha/news/event_calendar.htm
Campbell River - Campbell River Hospital, between front entrance and Sunshine Wellness Centre
June 16 - 12-2 p.m.
Event will feature traditional food, art, music, staff recognition activities and an opportunity to meet members of the Aboriginal health and employment teams.
www.viha.ca/about_viha/news/event_calendar.htm
New Westminster - Justice Institute of B.C., 715 McBride Blvd.
June 17 - 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Traditional activities, learn about lacrosse, cultural displays, traditional drumming and dancing, introduction of the JIBC Elders-in-residence, and Métis jigging and fiddling.
www.jibc.ca/events/national-aboriginal-day-celebration
Port Moody - Port Moody Station Museum, 2734 Murray Street
June 21 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Port Moody Heritage Society presents First Nations artifacts on display from the museum’s collection, drum making and cedar basket workshops, children’s crafts and activities. Call the Port Moody Station Museum to register and find more information about fees for the workshops at 604 939-1648 or e-mail info@portmoodymuseum.org
http://portmoodymuseum.org/calendar/upcoming/
Abbotsford - Mill Lake Park #1 North
June 21 - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Fraser Valley Métis Association hosts a traditional lunch and day of cultural activities, exercise classes, jigging, stick games, beading, weaving, music and prizes.
Mission - Fraser River Heritage Park
June 18 - 3-7 p.m.
Celebration event hosted by the Mission Friendship Centre.
Cranbrook - Parkland Middle School
June 17 - 5-8 p.m.
Métis music and jigging, First Nations drumming and dancing, and potluck.
Williams Lake - Parade Downtown/Boitanio Park
June 21 - 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The Northern Shuswap Tribal Council has organized a wide variety of events including a parade down Oliver Street starting at 10 a.m. and will include local students, traditional dancers, Elders, horses and riders, and local conservation groups. Parade ends at Boitanio Park where celebrations including live music, food and traditional dancing continue until 2:30 p.m.
http://northernshuswaptribalcouncil.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/AB-Day-2015.png
Fort St. John - Camp Out at Bear Flats
June 20-21
Weekend-long events hosted by West Moberly First Nations and the Fort St. John Treaty 8 Tribal Association including hand games, pow wow dancing and traditional activities, and food.
Media Contacts:
Media Relations
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 213-7724
