For the very first time, we celebrated this important day on Bowen Island. The weather, the performers, the smiling faces all added up to an evening to remember, outdoors in front of the library. (All photos by Len Gilday)
Rebecca Ducan, whose ancestral Squamish name is Tsitsayxemaat, enthralled everyone with the creation story of Raven stealing the Sun from Seagull. And she sent a shiver through the youngsters with her tale of Dzunukwu, the Wild Woman of the Woods, who eats small children who are not in their beds when night comes. This is the second time Rebecca has taken part in one of our Knowing Our Place events.
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Tsitsayxemaat, her nephew, Isaiah and her son, Marcel
Simon James/Winadzi was born in Alert Bay of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation. He is a renowned carver of transformation masks and totem poles. He and his wife, Naomi, and two children make their home on Bowen. Winadzi, a beloved storyteller on the island, shared a story told to him by his grandfather, Chief James Aul Sewid.
Tsitsayxemaat returned with her family of dancers: her daughter Taneesha, her granddaughter Alayla, her son Marcel and her nephew, Isaiah. They got everyone up out of their seats to dance the clan dances. In these photos, Taneesha demonstrates the Eagle Dance. I was honoured and privileged to be part of this gathering and grateful for the participation of First Nations and the Bowen Island community.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Knowing Our Place, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Rebecca Duncan, Simon Winadzi James