First Nations leaders and representatives from the British Columbia and Canadian governments gathered in Vancouver Wednesday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of the BC Treaty Commission.
Lheidli T’enneh Nation proved itself to be the “host with the most” this week.
The 37th Annual BC Elders Gathering was a huge undertaking and local organizers did us proud in Prince George.
Master of Ceremonies Leo Hebert did a good job of introducing the numerous First Nations groups, shaking the hands of their representatives and welcoming them to Prince George. He also kept us entertained.
“Welcome to your lands,” he quipped Tuesday, adding, “I’ve always wanted to say that,” as the Lheidli T’enneh group entered the room during the All Nations Grand Entry. Besides their drums and flags, representatives from each of the First Nations groups also brought with them as requested by their hosts a rock from their community as a gift for a monument to be built to commemorate the 2015 Winter Games. What a wonderful idea.
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Iâm one who has been keen about a basic income as a way governments, on behalf of taxpayers, could offer economic justice to everyone.
A guaranteed income has special relevance in light of frequent projections about how robotics, artificial intelligence and high-technology would soon erase many of the worldâs more repetitive jobs â leaving up to half the adult population without a chance at paid employment.
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The Jade Boat bronze sculpture at Vancouver International Airport. [Photo / Kevin Wang for chinadaily.com.cn)
Most Chinese visitors arriving in Canada via Vancouver have seen the Jade Boat bronze sculpture on display at the city s international airport. While they probably recognize the installation s Indigenous root and artistic import, few realize they are interacting with an important part of the culture of First Nations – their oral traditions. The old woman and the animal figures paddling the boat are all drawn from Haida oral lore.
Oral traditions are stories, histories, teachings and other knowledge that are orally transmitted from generation to generation. For thousands of years, First Nations in North America have relied on storytelling and other forms of oral communication to pass on vital information and maintain their identity. Almost all First Nations have their own creation stories, reflecting their belief about their origins and their place in the universe. For