Staff and volunteers at the Port Alberni Friendship Center (PAFC) kicked off their National Aboriginal Day celebration with a free, delicious barbecue salmon and steamed crab lunch at their 4th Avenue facility June 21.
The center was abuzz with activity both inside and out. Kids played around the bubble machine while a live band played out back.
Elder Kathy Robinson and her family prepared the traditional-style barbecue salmon, which was splayed on cedar sticks and cooked over an open fire.
Lunch tables were set up both indoors and out to accommodate the hundreds that showed up to enjoy the feast. PAFC staff and volunteers served up plates of homemade salads and seafood while vendors sold anything from arts and crafts to home baked goodies. Other tables were manned by service organization representatives who offered information about health and education.
Elder Ben David welcomed everyone on behalf of the Friendship Centre and he asked the people to observe a moment of silence as they remembered the late Lance Ambrose and his family.
Sharean Van Volsen and Trevor Little warmly welcomed guests on behalf of their first nations, Hupacasath and Tseshaht, respectively.
Elder Ray Samuel said a Nuu-chah-nulth prayer then invited drummers to join him in the singing of an Ahousaht dinner song.
The crowd was treated to a showing of the Animal Kingdom play written, directed and narrated by Tseshaht’s Jessie Stephens.
In her introduction of the performers, Stephens told the people that someone very special to her and the young performers passed away last week. Linda McLaren was a well-known foster parent, having taken in several aboriginal children into her home.
Not only did McLaren give the children a safe and nurturing home, but she also encouraged and participated in cultural activities. Stephens said she was a champion of the Animal Kingdom play, always encouraging Stephens to keep it going even after Stephens left the Alberni Valley for Victoria.
McLaren helped to make the regalia used in Animal Kingdom and she was foster mother to many of the performers at one time or another.
“She wasn’t aboriginal by race, but she was aboriginal by heart,” said Stephens, before announcing the performance that day would be dedicated to the memory of Linda McLaren.
And so the Animal Kingdom story was told, highlighted with the singing of young male drummers while children dressed in colorful masks and brightly colored regalia danced. The story tells of the delicate connection between man and animals and the respect we should have for Mother Nature.
Tseshaht First Nation hosted their own Aboriginal Day celebration at their park on the Somass River. Tables were set up and brightly colored balloons decorated a clearing in the maple trees. Dozens lined up for barbecued sockeye salmon complete with trimmings.
Willard Gallic welcomed everyone to the celebration on behalf of Chief Councilor Les Sam, who couldn’t be there that day.
“It is a great honor to be here and celebrate. Enjoy yourself,” he said.
Other tables were made available for activities like cedar bark weaving, art and face painting for the kids.
Ten year-old Kalilah Rampanen arrived with her acoustic guitar and played songs she wrote with her father, John. One song called Chetapi, told of her love for the mountain, also known as Catface, and how she is against mining it for copper.
Organizers for the event sold tickets for auctions and held art, bannock and upskwee (salmon jerky) contests.
