Aboriginal History Week is being celebrated at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) from Monday, March 10 to Friday, March 14, offering an opportunity to learn from Elders and knowledge holders while experiencing the traditional ways of Indigenous culture.
“We’ve been celebrating Aboriginal History Week at CNC for years now,” said Elder Darlene McIntosh, CNC cultural advisor.
“The Gathering Place is the number one place to be to visit with participants like the medicine people, the singers, the dancers, the beading artists – they all share the richness of their culture that some people don’t really know about. It’s so important to showcase all of these things.”
Violet Prince and Maggie Morris, Nak’azdli Elders, were sharing their knowledge of traditional medicines with visitors to their booth.
“The medicine women are so welcoming and friendly when people ask questions,” McIntosh said.
“So many people are going back to traditional medicines because we all know we need to look after ourselves so this is one way that we can help people by allowing them to ask any type of questions, talk to our elders and knowledge keepers. Because of what’s happening on the other side of our border, we need to be self-sufficient and we need to grow our own food and share it with our own communities and not ship it out.”
Indigenous peoples have always honoured the land and those in the Gathering Place on Tuesday were able to offer advice about getting back to nature and living in the bountiful environment of the region.
Those in the Gathering Place included:
- Roy and Terry Nooski (Nadleh Whut’en Elders) – Sharing traditional medicines
- Julie Jacques (Takla Elder) – Showcasing cultural crafts
- Violet Prince and Maggie Morris (Nak’azdli Elders) – Sharing traditional medicines
- Genny Pierre (Tl’azt’en Elder) – Showcasing traditional cultural crafts
- Marie Desjarlais (Cree Métis Elder) – Showcasing traditional cultural crafts
- Joyce Roberts (Métis Elder) – Métis exhibit
- Crystal Behn (Dene) – Manitobah Mukluks artist and exceptional beader
- UNBC First Nations Centre & IMSS – Supporting diversity at the college
Providing a glimpse into cultural celebration dances were Michael Antoine of the Saik’us First Nation, who is a pipe carrier, Sun Dancer, holistic student support, drummer, and singer, and Tracy Peters of the ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation who is a Jingle dress dancer (pow wow style), beader, sewer, singer, and Sun Dancer.
The CNC Drummers Group also performed several songs.
“And of course, we cannot have a First Nations gathering without Bannock and so we will share our Bannock that has come from the House of Ancestors, which is of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation,” Elder McIntosh said.
“What’s so important about the Aboriginal History Week is that here at the college we have such a diverse community because we have so many international students and when we showcase our culture to those students it’s to emphasize that we have been here for thousands of years and have managed to keep our traditions going throughout that time. Proven by lithic evidence we have been on our traditional territory for 9,000 years and we plan on being here for the next 9,000 years - at least.”
The lunchtime offerings of entertainment ended with a cultural favourite, a variety of Bannock that attendees enjoyed.
On Wednesday, March 12 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 1-306, T’soh Dih Pete Erickson, a member of the Yinka Dene/Dakelh Nation from Nak’azdli and the Ts’umusyoo (Beaver) Clan, spoke.
After serving 28 years as a constable and corporal with the RCMP, he now leads the Salmon Hatchery. As a Denezah Clan leader, Erickson is deeply engaged in the traditional governance system and represents Nak’azdli Whut’en on provincial and federal committees.
As a respected knowledge holder, he shares the rich cultural traditions of First Nations people by weaving captivating stories.
A Beaded Earring Workshop was held on Wednesday, March 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Aboriginal Resource Centre, Room 1-773. Stephanie Jack and Jaelyn Fulton will provide instruction on creating beautiful, handcrafted earrings. This workshop is open to all, with no registration required.
A screening of Oscar-nominated documentary Sugarcane will take place on Thursday, March 13 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Lecture Theatre, Room 1-306. Sugarcane is a critically acclaimed documentary that delves deeply into the tragic history of First Nations people who attended the former St. Joseph’s Mission residential school. The film explores the ongoing impact on survivors and their descendants.
Directed by Secwepemc artist Julian Brave NoiseCat and journalist Emily Kassie, the film has received widespread acclaim since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, including a 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a nomination for Best Documentary at the 97th Academy Awards.
The documentary highlights the profound injustices endured by Indigenous communities in Canada and serves as a call to action for a more just future. This documentary is rated R.
A How to Make a Dream Catcher workshop will be held on Friday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Aboriginal Resource Centre, Room 1-772. Michael Antoine, a holistic student supporter, will share the story of the dream catcher and guide participants in making their own. The workshop is limited to 12 participants.
To register, contact Elder Darlene McIntosh by emailing [email protected] or visit the centre.
