Aboriginal Day Celebration and Feast at the Synod Office
It was windy but warm and sunny at 1410 Nanton for the Aboriginal Day Feast and Celebration held on the green space between the Trendell Lounge, (the gathering space shared by the Synod Office and St. John's, Shaughnessy) and the Church.
Last year on July 25 the first such event was held and it was decided that this year it be held closer to Canada's National Indigenous People's Day which is celebrated on June 21.
Diocesan Indigenous Justice Ministry Coordinator, Nii K'an Kwsdins (Jerry Adams) put a great program together and also arranged for a delicious catered lunch of seafood, hearty soup, salads and other treats both savoury and sweet.
The welcome was given by the Venerable Douglas Fenton, Executive Archdeacon of the Diocese and Archdeacon of Vancouver and the event's MC was Jerry, who made everyone in attendance feel very welcome.
There were three cultural performances:
• Kwhlii Gibaygum Nisga'a Dancers
• V’ni Dansi, Yvonne Chartrand Metis Dansers
• Love Medicine, the Big Drum
and two speakers; CEO Kevin Barlow, Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council and
Constable Rick Lavallee VPD.
IMAGES
- North facing POV of the audience enjoying Kwhlii Gibaygum Nisga'a Dancers
- Nii K'an Kwsdins welcomes the guests
- Kwhlii Gibaygum Nisga'a Dancers release the feathers
- Yvonne Chartrand and Anne Maia Sørensen of V'ni Dansi
- Kevin Barlow
- Constable Rick Lavallee
- Love Medicine Big Drum
- Applause after all gathered participated in a circle dance.