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91ƵOverwhelming91Ƶ: Thousands honour Indigenous Peoples Day near B.C. capital

Canoe Landing Protocol, dancing, drumming and more held at Royal Roads University

With a crowd of thousands gathered to watch 91Ƶ at least 3,000 of which were students 91Ƶ canoes floated across the waters of the Esquimalt Lagoon to the shores of the Royal Roads University campus on Wednesday, with a leader from each boat stopping to ask permission to come ashore.

The ceremony has been performed on the lands of the Lekwungen and Xwsepsum peoples for generations, and on this occasion it was the job of Lekwungen Elder Yux91Ƶwey91Ƶlupton, or Butch Dick as he91Ƶs known by his English name to some, to grant each party permission to land, officially kicking off this year91Ƶs National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the university.

With the canoes on dry land, drumming and singing followed before elders and organizers made their way up to the main event grounds for opening remarks and the rest of the day91Ƶs activities.

There, even more people were waiting to watch performances while others stood in line at food trucks, browsed the many artisan booths, or explored tepees where they could hear stories told by elders, or learn Indigenous languages.

What started as a small event organized by a handful of people has now grown into a massive community event which sees people visit from far and wide.

91ƵIt91Ƶs overwhelming. We started this with a handful of canoes and a handful of people, but over the years it has grown and the word has gotten out that it is a fun and safe gathering,91Ƶ said Dick. 91ƵIt91Ƶs attracted many nations here, along with our friends from many different communities. It91Ƶs heartfelt, and it91Ƶs just a good gathering.91Ƶ

Dick said the event is about creating understanding between people, and promoting the belief of 91Ƶone world, one people.91Ƶ

91ƵThat91Ƶs the way it should be,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵThere is a lot of good work going on in all the school communities, and this is just an add-on to that. It91Ƶs human contact, where you can actually talk to an elder, or a dancer, a canoe paddler.91Ƶ

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Justin Samanski-Langille

About the Author: Justin Samanski-Langille

I moved coast-to-coast to discover and share the stories of the West Shore, joining Black Press in 2021 after four years as a reporter in New Brunswick.
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