B.C. National Aboriginal Day Celebration, June 21, 2010

On June 21, the Province joined individuals, organizations and communities across B.C. and Canada in celebrating National Aboriginal Day.

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (MARR) organized an event at First Peoples House at the University of Victoria for Aboriginal staff across government. Lekwungen (Songhees) Elder Butch Dick provided a blessing, his son Bradley acted as MC for the day, and attendees were given a traditional welcome to the territory.

About 200 people attended the celebration, including Chiefs of the Lekwungen Nation. The event featured song and dance performances by Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka’wakw children and youth, the Esquimalt Nation South Island Dancers, and Métis fiddle music from the Lamoreux Family.