Working Together - As One
Over 60 people in attendance for Chawathil’s Indigenous Day Coastal Jame & Market, view the original article here.
It was a hot but welcoming evening of music, dancing, and food at Chawathil First Nation (CFN) as members and guests celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Over 60 people, from Chawathil and Hope, were at the CFN gym last Friday (June 21) to take part in Chawathil’s Indigenous Day Coastal Jam & Market — a three hour event and market to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Taking place every June 21, and first announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates and honours the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and Indigenous people of Canada.
Just like last year, CFN invited the public to celebrate the day with them, and to learn about their culture and who they are. Starting at 5:30 p.m. and going till 8:30 p.m., the dinner was served first and catered by Gina Kay. After, the event kicked off with a drumming ceremony followed by an Iron Man inspired competition/dance-a-ton where participants danced until only one was left dancing.
During the dance, members of the Pil’alt Warrior Group, along with a few members from the Sts’ailes First Nation Sasquatch Dancers, participated alongside the competitors. The competition had three categories, all by age, with prizes for each tier.
In addition to the dances, attendees also had the opportunity to visit the market, which was just outside the gym, and purchase goods from any of the vendors.