National Aboriginal Day

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Published by the MERRITT HERALD

www.merrittherald.com B2 THURSDAY, June 19, 2014

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

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Merritts name in the Thompson lan-guage means Coyotes House. In town, theres a building called Ken-gard Manor and thats where an organized pile of rocks and pebbles called Coyotes House stood. Coyote travelled all through the land, and where he rested he created a landmark or his home.

Now, after the town started to grow and they wanted to build Kengard Manor and those other buildings, they tore down Coy-otes House. It was a very sacred place for us. We considered that place our spiri-tual grounds. We never camped too close to Coyotes House be-cause we were told that we would be taken away if we did. The spirits would come and carry us away.

Nothing is there today to show us where

Coyote lived. I heard that those people who live in Kengard hear some strange things now and again. Its probably Coyote talk-ing to them.

The Thompson and Okanagan people lived here before the town of Merritt appeared. We lived here because of the rivers. They actu-ally started the city of Nicola. There was a general store, hotel and courthouse out there. A church and cemetery were next to each other. Then the Armstrongs set up their store and then came the court-house and post offi ce.

That was at a time when we used to have boardwalk streets. Thats about the time that the mining out in Collettville began. People came from all over and some settled at Aspen Grove. The streets in Merritt are named after those

people who came here to work. Coutlee and Charters are two of the names. These people also supported the Catholic church being built down here at the town site.

Before they began to settle in this valley, we were all considered one. There were no bands like today.

There were inter-marriages between Shuswap, Thompson and Okanagan people. The valley itself was Okanagan land. There was some fi ghting be-tween the Okanagan and Shuswap years ago.

The story is that we won the valley from the Shuswap after the last battle. The Shus-wap used to come to Douglas Lake to hunt and fi sh. The valley was home to the Thompson and Okanagan people lived down through the Shulus area and up and through the valley

where its now Merritt and district land.

The oldest church in this area is Catho-lic and it was built in Coldwater. The Obliques of the Catho-lic church made their headquarters at Cold-water. They used to travel up to Nicola to go to church. Then, when the residential school opened in Kam-loops, people came over the rail from Boston Bar to get to the school. Even people from Oli-ver came up that way.

There was a man who surveyed land for the government and his last name was Douglas. When he decided to settle, he built a house right in the middle of reserve land.

There was an old aboriginal man who was angry at him for settling right there, and went to talk to him, but neither one could understand the other.

After a while, when the old man saw that Douglas wouldnt leave, he paid him a visit and this time he took an axe after him and Doug-las then moved to the other end of the lake we know as Douglas.

When Douglas was surveying for the government, he was surveying to tell the government what land the aboriginals should have. We didnt under-stand what all of that meant. He bought the land around Panask Creek from the govern-ment.

After this, the coal mine at Collettville and the railroad brought more people to the val-ley Spanish, French and Asian.

Between Merritt and Shulus there was a place called Coutlee. There was a hotel, sa-loon and store. Alexan-der Coutlee lived there. Bill Pooleys house

is on the land that we knew at Coutlee. People started to settle in the Merritt town site because the Arm-strongs opened a store. The mine and rail-road was closer to the Armstrongs store and pretty soon the stores at Nicola and Coutlee were closed. Blacks Pharmacy at one time was the theatre.

People came over the Boston Bar trail to fi nd land here. Thats how we got a mixture of blood and cultures in the valley. It makes for a very good life to have these different groups here with us.

Mining and logging made a difference for the people and the life in the valley. Now were raping the country and taking it for granted. The trees could come back if the elders were part of the discussion and planning with forestry. We need to

open our eyes. Building the roads, especially through the Coldwater reserve to the highway, has polluted our water. Mother Earth could heal herself if we gave her a chance.

Theres a spring behind NVIT on the hill and thats where we used to camp when we were out picking the long bush Saskatoon berries. This spring comes out at McDon-alds and by the hydro station, then it goes and feeds the river. We used to dry those berries for the winter.

That was a time when we never stayed in one place all the time. We travelled for survival. Our trips took us down to the states and further north than we live today.

When we travelled, we would fi nd the wa-ter and we never stayed down low, always up high.

Merritts history begins with Coyotes House

www.merrittherald.com THURSDAY, June 19, 2014 3


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Aboriginal National Day

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In the days of the animal people, there was a family who lived down in the Shulus area. They had a daughter and an older son. When the girl was going through pu-berty, her brother started to sneak into the little tipi where she was staying behind the house.

The parents found out and killed their son and then took him to Nicola Lake and put him in a boat that they tied up to the trees. The sister began to miss him and some kids that were playing close by told her what had happened and she started to run as fast as she could.

She ran so fast that not even the fastest animals could keep up with her. She ran up to the boat and then she untied it and it drifted out to the middle of the lake. She was lost of the lake too. That is when the two mountains on each side of the lake came into being. They are brother and sister, destined to be sepa-rated by the lake forever.

The man is on the left side and the woman is on the right

side of the lake as you go down the old highway toward Kamloops.

This is at the same time as the mermaid lived in the lake when dogs were turned into fi sh and the dogfi sh still swim around the lake.

One day, a man was strug-gling to get an old log into Nicola Lake. When he did get it into the water, he began to go across the lake. About half-way, he looked down into the water and saw the mermaid.

The mermaid was swim-ming just under the water. When he got across the lake, he climbed up to the top of the female mountain and he fell asleep. When he woke up in the morning, he was back at the shore of the lake.

In those days, lots of strange things happened. We were told not to go to the water when its dark. Strong spirits are around then. When you experienced these things, you didnt talk about them to anyone. They were giving you messages and you had to fi g-ure out what the message was. That was your work.

The man and the moose

There was a man, a relative who went out hunting one day, but he didnt talk to the ani-mals before he went out and he came to a place where a fi re had gone through.

There was a moose who saw him and began to chase him. The moose was real mad, and in the middle of this clear patch was a lone cottonwood tree that was hollow on the inside. The man jumped into middle of the tree and hid un-til the moose decided to leave.

That moose would have killed him, because all that we hunted with at that time was a bow and arrow. After more people came to live in the val-ley, the wildlife moved. We for-got about how to ask for their help too.

Not long ago, a man went hunting when another man dressed in old-fashioned clothes, like the clothes we used to wear a long time ago, ap-peared out of the woods.

He said to the hunter, You have to leave, this is our terri-tory. Right then, the hunter

got sick. He made it home and his family took him to the hospital. He told his family not to go hunting there again. He died just after that.

The day the women went

They say that in Coyote days, people were telling each other that the king was coming to visit in the summer and they had to stay at home to greet him. There were some stub-born women who wanted to go out picking berries. They left with their babies on their backs off to pick berries. When the king came along to visit them, he got angry that they had dis-obeyed the orders and turned the women and their babies into rocks. Those rocks can still be seen out on Highway 8 just past Lower Nicola.

Coyotes houses and land-marks are like Gods places. Three ladies were going fi shing one day. Coyote was curious and asked these women where they were going. They told him that they were going fi shing.

See Coyote Page B 4

How the mountains were formed



as you help celebratethe unique heritage, diverse cultures,

and outstanding achievements of the nations Aboriginal peoples.

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from Coast to CoastAboriginal People

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Coyote listened and then appeared in front of them and asked them again what they were doing and where they were going. The women told him again, and again Coyote appeared in front of them on their trail. He asked them about three times what they were doing and three times the women answered him that they were going down to the lake to go fi shing.

Coyote was always curious, and humans have inherited his traits of curiosity and the need to know.

He left them alone after this, but one of the things that Coyote had to do is experience and understand how hu-mans are different from the animals.

Coyote is a very sacred being. He can change himself into any shape or form at any time. Some people say that seeing a coyote is bad luck, and if you see one, just ask him for

good luck. Things will

fall into place.

The stone animals

In the day of the ice age, when God was still creating the Earth, there were huge boulders that the ice moved down this way from the north. Some of those rocks became animals when God saw that they had moved down here.

These animals moved like us and they told us that God was coming, and to pray. Some of them kept on working because they thought they had lots of time. Those ones that didnt pray were turned back to their original form.

From Page B 3

luck.hings will t l

Coyote will give you good luck ... if you ask

THE NEXT GENERATION

Above: Local students drum during the one-year anniversary celebration of Highland Valley Coppers Merritt office opening. Michael Potestio/Herald

Below: Dancers of all ages and ability took part in the pow-wow in Shulus earlier this month. Ian Webster/Herald



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Everyone is Welcome to attend Scwexmx Child & Family Services

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Open to anyone, adults, youth, elders, families, native, non-native.

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Come out and see what its all about, bring your family, bring a friend, invite others for

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The original people of the Oka-nagan are known as the Syilx-speaking people. We have been here since the begin-ning of people on this land. We were wished here by our Creator.

The origin of the Sylix is the earth. We were created from the land as part of the land the earth, in all its elements, and the ones who came before us are our parents. Like all parents, their job is to take care of us and as such, everything we have was given to us by them.

The four elements are earth, fire, water and land.

The Okanagan people do not con-

sider earth, air, fire, and water as separate elements at all. They are the life force of all things.

FireIn the time before

people, the land was overcome with rain until every last fire on earth was extin-guished. The animal people had a meeting and discussed what should be done. Then they decided to make war against the Sky Beings to bring back the fire.

In the spring, Coy-ote pointed his arrow towards the sky an started shooting his arrow first, then the people shot their ar-rows towards the sky.

They never made it to the Upper World. Many animals tried, one after an-other, but all their ar-rows fell to the earth.

Finally, Chicka-dee pointed his ar-row and let go of the string. Everyone watched as his arrow had reached the sky.

He began making a chain of arrows by

shooting the arrows together, which the animals could use as a ladder to reach the sky world.

After everyone was on their way up, Grizzly Bear was the last one to climb the chain of arrows. Since he is large and heavy, the chain broke and he fell back to earth. Grizzly was not able to join the other animals in their battle.

When the animals reached the sky, they found themselves in a valley near a lake where the people of the sky were fishing.

Coyote went out as a scout, but was captured by the sky people.

Muskrat dug holes along the shores of the lake while Beaver and Eagle were sent out to steal the fire.

Beaver lay down in a fish trap, pre-tending to be dead. When the sky people found him, they car-ried him to their Chief s house.

When the people began to skin Beaver,

Eagle flew to a near by tree and landed. When the people saw Eagle, they ran out.

At once, Beaver jumped up, and using a clam shell, he stole some burning coals.

When Beaver got to the lake, the people were already chasing him and trying to catch him with fish nets, but Muskrats holes had emptied the lake.

When the animal people got to the place where their ar-row chain ladder was, they found it broken.

Each bird carried a four-legged on his back, down to the land.

Only Coyote and Sucker were left in the sky world.

Coyote tied a piece of buffalo robe to each of his paws, then he jumped down, landing in a pine tree.

Sucker had to jump down. When he landed, he was bro-ken to pieces.

The next morning, Coyote was showing off his wings, but

when he tried to take them off, he could not and was trans-formed into a bat.

The animals gath-ered all of Suckers bones they could find and pieced him back together. Since some of his bones were missing, the animals used pine needles in his tail, which is why Sucker has so many bones.

11 Kings ch.3; 17, For thus says the Lord, You shall not see wind or rain, yet that ravine shall be filled with water so you, your cattle, and your beasts of burden may drink.

In Friendship,Jeanette McMaster, Elder

JEANETTE MCMASTERInFRIENDSHIP

Legends teach us about animal world

TAKE YOUR PICK

Grandpa and grandson Fred Sterling and Indiana Joe picked impressive lightning mushrooms from the Nicola Valley over the spring. The mushrooms are a traditional First Nations spring food.

Submitted



Lower Nicola Band School Ph: 250-378-5527 201 Horn Rd., Merritt, BC

SCHooL RegiStRatioN 2014-2015Lower Nicolaindian Band

foR MoRe iNfoRMatioN

to RegiSteR you wiLL Need: Immunization Record, Birth Certificate, Health Care Card Number, Band Name and Number.

tHe LoweR NiCoLa BaNd SCHooLiNviteS aLL CHiLdReN

(First Nations/Non First Nations)To Register for Kindergarten to Grade 7

Full Time Kindergarten must be 5yrs by Dec 31, 2014 Door to door Bus Service provided to all areas of Merritt.

Head StaRt SeRviCeS: 3 & 4 year old Program (K4 must be 4 years old by Dec. 31, 2014) Parent & Tot Drop In Home Visiting Program Services to 0 to 6 year olds: Priority will be given to LNIB Band Members for all Head Start programs Transportation provided for all Head Start programs

CuRRiCuLuM: BC Curriculum Nle?kepmx Cultural Studies Field Trips Learning Assistance Program Extra Curricular Activities & Sports being offered

faCiLitieS: Full-Size Gymnasium Library Computer Lab Baseball/Soccer Field

Education Comes First



COLDWATER INDIAN BANDPO Box 46002249 Quilchena Ave., Merritt, BC V1K 1B8250-378-6174www.coldwaterband.com

COOKS FERRY INDIAN BAND10#PYr%FFS-BOFSpences Bridge, BC V0K 2L0250-458-2224

NICOMEN INDIAN BANDPO Box 6701054 Spence Road, Lytton, BC V0K 1Z0250-455-2514

SISKA INDIAN BANDPO Box 519 Lytton, BC V0K 1Z0250-455-2219

UPPER NICOLA INDIAN BANDPO Box 37002225 Village Road, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 250-350-3342www.uppernicolaband.com

SHACKAN INDIAN BAND2160 Settlers Road, Merritt, BC V1K 1M9250-378-5410

NOOAITCH INDIAN BAND2954 Shackelly Road, Merritt, BC V1K 1N9250-378-6141

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Nicola Tribal AssociationNicola Tribal Association would like to congratulate the Class of 2014, we wish you success in

your future endeavours from NTA Administration, NTA Finance, NWSFA & Tmixw Research.

Courtney Angel Chloe Gabara Charity-Angel PenderJayni Bara-Canadien Kathlene Gorst Kirra RacineKiyl Baynes Tierra Holmes Trevor ReedTameka Black Casandra Hopson Tristan SampsonCrista Boyd

Shane Isaac Julia SpahanCourtney Brewer Shawn Isaac Alisha SterlingMiles Briggs Savannah Joe Alana SuzukiJustine Brown Kevin Keyser Hyacinth SuzukiBradley Colter Mitch Major

Elizabeth ThomShane Colvin Richard McLeod Ashlee TomTristan Couture Cristiana McMaster Talon TomDakota Cox Keisha Munro Stephanie TourandTyler Edwards Catherine Opper Devan Van Unen

Fallon Fosberry Matthew Parr Lanor Voght-BobLatrisha Alextis Travis Paterson Tiffany BrabantBraydon Muir Felix Saul Alex ShuterKristian Stead Fran Bob Randi ColvinCody Dennis Shania Free

Kyla HallStephanie Hilash Candice John James Cassandra JosephRobert Ned Shania Ned Mikayla PhillipsSteve Pinyon Tashina Shackelly Keith WilsonThomas ManuelJack Sterling MosesBrittani KetloKewetN Beatty Smith

COOL

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Visit our website for more up-to-date information

The Nicola Tribal Association would like to Celebrate National Aboriginal Day and wish everyone a summer celebration

commemorating Aboriginal Heritage and Culture.

Mitch Major

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTThe Nicola TriiiiiiiiiiiiiibbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbaNational Aboriginal Day



Celebrating Ab riginal Day

Protecting Traditional Values through

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SStuwix Resources 250-378-2277 www.stuwix.com

Highland Valley CopperPartners in the CommunityOn June 21 we encourage our communities to participate in the celebration which recognizes unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of the nations Aboriginal people.

At Highland Valley Copper we are committed to inclusion and proactive engagement with our communities in the Nlakapamux territory.

We can be reached by Email: [email protected] or Toll Free Telephone: 1-855-523-3429

Family affair at school district aboriginal grad

It may have been dreary and grey outside the Civic Centre last Thursday evening, but inside, the mood was jubilant.

It was a family affair as 40 graduates from around School District 58 celebrated their achievement at the annual SD58 Aborigi-nal Graduation.

First Nations, Mtis and aboriginal gradu-ates from Merritt Sec-ondary School, Princ-eton Secondary School, NKwala School and Kengard Learning Centre were welcomed to the dinner and cel-ebration by a group of drummers and dancers before being brushed with cedar branches and then wrapped in a blanket to honour their accomplishment.

Nooaitch elder and former chief Kowaintco Michel told the packed auditorium the brushing represents letting go of the heavi-ness of the past to make room for the future, while the blanket repre-sents the communitys love and support sur-rounding the grads.

SD58 principal of aboriginal education Shelley Oppenheim-Lacerte said district administration and school staff are proud of this years grads and of the programs theyve developed with input from First Nations com-munities.

Were really proud of the culture teaching were providing with our traditional dances. Were teaching that to our students in the school system and thats why were showcasing at different events, Oppenheim-Lacerte said.

Students from MSSs Aboriginal Academy also drummed during the evening.

We want to build on the number of students that are par-ticipating throughout

the school district, she said. Were really proud of that.

She said build-ing relationships and engaging aboriginal communities is impor-tant to the success of the school districts aboriginal program-ming and its students.

Community support was evident at the cele-bration, which included representation from all over Canada, Oppen-heim-Lacerte said.

The aboriginal peo-ple have a great com-munity network that supports one another, SD58 superintendent Bob Peacock said in his speech.

Representatives of the school district were joined by members of the SD58 school board, the City of Merritt and the RCMP at the event.

School trustee Richie Gage told the graduates their success depended equally on their individual efforts and their support net-works, which include family members, friends, teachers and First Nations support workers.

Secondary school

graduation is the first of many celebrations that you will experience as you move through life, but it is one that will open many doors that may have been closed to you if you hadnt made that level of achievement, he said.

District First Nations support work-er Keith Jagers advice to grads was to stay true to themselves.

Dont become a copy. Stay original, be yourself. You can be successful if you choose to, he said.

UBC-Okanagan student Nathan Che-noweth had some words of wisdom for students after gradu-ating from MSS last year.

Always see a sunny side, a silver lin-ing, the Upper Nico-la Band member told the grads. Always be thankful for your fam-ily and friends. Your family will always sup-port you, no matter what happens.

Upper Nicola Band Coun. George Saddleman said the importance of that support remained

for him in the 46 years since his high school graduation.

Forty-six years ago, when I graduated, it was a long struggle to get to Grade 12. But once you get to Grade 12, life really travels fast, he said.

Youve written chapter 12, now you have many more chap-ters to write, Saddle-man said to end his speech.

By Emily WesselTHE HERALD

[email protected]



May the Creator keep you and your loved ones

Safe & Healthy

from the Upper Nicola Band Chief, Council & Staff.

oooyoyooyo

MERRITT HERALDCheck out online E-edition at www.merrittherald.com

2090 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC (250) 378-4241

The Staff of the Merritt Herald would like to thank the Aboriginal community for their continued

dedication to educating and upholding your cultural traditions, language and philosophies. We would

like to take this time to honour the aboriginal peoples of Merritt and surrounding areas.

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TRADITIONAL WISDOM

When rosebuds are blooming, it means the kokanee are biting.

The abundance of cottonwood fl uff in the air tells us there will be an abundance of berries.

Chewing hardened tree sap is medicinal good for the liver and cleans the blood. It is also good for exercising your jaw.

When prairie chickens in the winter light up in the trees, it means cold weather is coming.

When cranes fl y overhead and are making noise, it is a true sign of fall. When you hol-ler at them from the ground, they will circle above you. Thats when prayers are sent down south. When the cranes come back in the spring, they bring back answers to the prayers.

You go to an ant pile and dig up the hill until you get to the eggs. Then you put the eggs and ants on a blanket and fold one corner of the blanket so the ants have a place to re-hide their eggs. Once most of the eggs are under the blanket, you gather them up and use the eggs as a fi sh attractant. Use the eggs when you go fi shing for kokanee in the spring.

To let the community know when a young man has become a hunter, he has to give his fi rst deer to all his aunts, uncles and cousins. Its our way of showing that there is another provider in the community.

LEADER OF THE PACK

Wolves are known as fierce hunters, intuitive gatherers and protectors of their packs. Because they mate for life, wolves are regarded as having high loyalty to their families. Wolves often symbolize intelligence, understanding, loyalty and strength.

Ian Webster/Herald


NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAYWe asked the students at the Lower Nicola Band School to show us what Aboriginal Day means to them, and here are their answers.AboriginAl dAy:

What does it mean to you?



Celebrating Aboriginal DayJune 21st

Lower Nicola Indian Band Mission Statement:We the Lower Nicola Indian Band Council, as Stewards of the Nlekepmx Pel Tmixw, in the spirit, devote our efforts in pursuing socio-economic opportunities while protecting and enhancing our Traditional Land and Cultural Values.

AdministrationTel 250 378.5157Fax 250 378.6188

Community Services & HealthTel 250 378.4089Fax 250 378.9137

LNIB SchoolTel 250 378.5527Fax 250 378.6389

LNIB Fire Dept.Tel 250 378.5110Fax 250 378.6063911 Emergency

Shulus CommunityArenaTel 250 378.5180Fax 250 378.5137

Economic Development& Natural ResourcesTel 250 378.5157Fax 250 378.6188

181 Nawishaskin Lane | Merritt, British Columbia, Canada V1K 0A7Email: [email protected] | website: www.lnib.net

Fall is the time for picking huckleberries. The Coquihalla area was the traditional picking place. Families set up camp for a whole week, maybe even two weeks. Hunters go out and hunt deer and moose. This is in preparation for winter. The meat is smoked and dried.

FALL

The whole family goes fishing down at the river. They gather summer berries, Saskatoons and strawberries. The male members of the family will be putting in the garden. Its a very busy time for everyone. We take advantage of this time to prepare for winter. This is the season everyone comes together and works together. Summer is also the time for ceremonies. One that comes to mind is the ceremony to celebrate growth, usually at puberty for children. This is named the giving time. The character of the child is used to help select their name. For ex-ample, boys who are natural hunters would be given names in reference to hunting and a girl who is graceful in nature would be named in reference to her character. Summer is also the time when buckskin is made, and we prepare hides for the upcoming winter.

SUMMER

Winter is family time, the time we get together as a family because we have to all cuddle up for warmth, not only for warming our bodies but spiritually. At night, we tell stories. When elders are done telling stories, it would be time to go to bed and the lights went out. In winter, we ate dried Saskatoons and soap berries. A special treat was always a por-ridge-like meal with Sas-katoons. This was meant for special occasions.

WINTER

Everything comes to life. The elders used to say that when we hear thunder and lightning, deer are being born. We would never hunt game in the spring if we could help it because of the newborns. This is the time when grandmothers, mothers and children would pick wild potatoes, wild celery, bitterroot and spring mushrooms. The bitterroot we found at the Guichon Ranch; wild celery at the marsh areas in the valley and wild potatoes were found in the vicinity of Aspen Grove.

SPRING

The four seasons

A FEAST FOR THE EYES

About 200 people turned out for the Lower Nicola Bands Yvonne Basil Memorial Powwow on the June 6-8 weekend.Spectators were in for a treat as the Shulus Arbour was full of colourful regalia, dancers of all ages and vendors to celebrate the event.

Ian Webster/Herald


DRAFT Schedule of Events & Activitiesall activities are at Voght Park

8:00 am 10:00 Tipi Raising Lesson Adrian Retasket - VOLUNTEERS WELCOME AND NEEDED TO HELP RAISE THE TIPIS

10:00 Opening remarks Master of Ceremonies / Welcome Songs ALL hand drummers welcome! Opening Prayer & Welcome: Okanagan, Nlakapamux, English & French Hoop Dance Performance by the Akachuk family

10:30 Aboriginal Day Activities commence Activity Booths Open Vendors craft and sale booths Open Syilx Tipi opens for Okanagan language and story telling Nlakapamux Tipi opens for Nlakapamux language and story telling Moccasin Mile organized by Buzz Manuel Mothers / Childrens rest area designated tipi for Merritt Moms Elders visiting / rest area designated tipi for Elders

11:00 2:00 pm Childrens Crafts Booth Colour the Medicine Wheel & write up meaning Bracelet & necklace making

11:00 Children / Teen / Adult Contests throughout the day to include: Baby Crawling Contest Water Balloon Toss Three legged race

11:00-1:00 Randy Chillihitzia and band to play during lunch and during festivities

11:30 3:30 Hot dogs / Watermelon Booths open Child / Teen / Adult categories

2:00 pm Watermelon Eating Contest at the watermelon booth

1:00 4pm Grand entry Travelling Spirit Feel The Beat Dance Performance Travelling Spirit Pow Wow Dancers Potato Dance / Owl Dance

1:30 Aboriginal Day Bingo starts (5 games leading to blackout)

3:00pm Tug of WarRegistration of teams at the info booth

4:00pm Closing prayer / closing remarks

National Aboriginal Day Celebrations Voght Park ( 1500 Canford Avenue)

Merritt BC

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.

Nicola Valley Native Veterans funded part of this Event

Sack race / Egg & Spoon Race Other games to be announced Bear/Eagle game (age: 3-4/5-7/8-10/11-13)

Inter-Tribals Friendship Dance Round Dance

Please be prepared for the outdoor activities!

Bring lawn chairs,

umbrellas, day tents, sunscreen and your own picnic lunch!

A reminder this is a

drug and alcohol free event.

Everyone in the Nicola Valley is welcome to

come share in the festivities!

Proudly hosted by the

Conayt Friendship Society

For Information:

Deloris Charters at 250-378-5107

Aboriginal Advisory Council

NatioNalAboriginal DayAboriginal Day Celebrations

Saturday, June 21, 2014Voght Park (1500 Canford Ave)

Draft Schedule of Events & Activities - All Activities are at Voght Park!

Proudly Hosted by Conayt Friendship Society

8:00 am 10:00 am Tipi Raising Lesson Adrian Retasket - VOLUNTEERS WELCOME AND NEEDED TO HELP RAISE THE TIPIS

10:00 am Opening remarks Master of Ceremonies / Welcome Songs ALL hand drummers welcome! Opening Prayer & Welcome: Okanagan, Nlakapamux, English & French Hoop Dance Performance by the Akachuk family

10:30 am Aboriginal Day Activities commenceActivity Booths OpenVendors craft and sale booths OpenSyilx Tipi opens for Okanagan language and story tellingNlakapamux Tipi opens for Nlakapamux language and story tellingMoccasin Mile organized by Buzz ManuelMothers / Childrens rest area designated tipi for Merritt MomsElders visiting / rest area designated tipi for Elders

11:00 am Children / Teen / Adult Contests throughout the day to include:BabyCrawlingContest Sackrace/Egg&SpoonRaceWaterBalloonToss OthergamestobeannouncedThreeleggedrace Bear/Eaglegame(age:3-4/5-7/8-10/11-13)

11:00 am - 1:00 pm Randy Chillihitzia and band to play during lunch and during festivities

11:00 am 2:00 pm Childrens Crafts BoothColour the Medicine Wheel & write up meaningBracelet & necklace making

11:30 am 3:30 pm Hot dogs / Watermelon Booths openChild / Teen / Adult categories

1:00 pm 4:00 pm Grand entry Travelling SpiritFeelTheBeatDancePerformance Inter-TribalsTravellingSpiritPowWowDancers FriendshipDancePotatoDance/OwlDance RoundDance

1:30 pm Aboriginal Day Bingo starts(5gamesleadingtoblackout)

2:00 pm Watermelon Eating Contest at the watermelon booth

3:00 pm Tug of War Registration of teams at the info booth

4:00 pm Closing prayer / closing remarks

Please be prepared for the outdoor activities! Bring lawn chairs, umbrellas, day tents, sunscreen and your own picnic lunch! A reminder this is a drug and alcohol free event. Everyone in the Nicola Valley is welcome to come share in the festivities!

For Information: Deloris Charters at 250-378-5107

AboriginalAdvisory Council

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National Aboriginal Day

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Transcript of National Aboriginal Day