Sharing a Journey: A walk of Discovery and Reconciliation, Upcoming Events in Upper Fraser Valley in 2016

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1 Sharing a Journey: A walk of Discovery and Reconciliation, an All Saints website group open to anyone interested in anything pertaining to Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Metis) and for those who would like to share information about their own walk with our Aboriginal sisters and brothers. For further information please contact Facilitator: Monica Gibson-Pugsley mgp2000@shaw.ca. Upcoming Events in Upper Fraser Valley in 2016 Sto:lo Cultural Series Special Presentation Elder in the Making : a Blackfoot Aboriginal & Chinese-Canadian rediscover their shared heritage. This film uncovers our responsibility as stewards of the land and of the generations yet to come. Wed. March 9 at 7:00 pm, Sto:lo Nation grounds 7201 Vedder Rd. (opposite Carmen United Church), Chilliwack Access from Vedder Road, then bear right to Sto:lo Resource Centre - Building # 10 Admission by donation. Light refreshments served. Journey of Reconciliation Sat. April 9 from 9:00 am 4:15 pm (registration 8:30 9 am) Speaker: Chief Dr. Robert Joseph Columbia Bible College (Clearwood Room), Abbotsford Clearbrook Rd (on the right just north of George Ferguson Way) To register: and click on Register for the Journey of Reconciliation Event Registration: $30 must register before March 30 to include lunch; (late registration does not include lunch) Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, O.B.C. is a true peace-builder whose life and work are examples of his personal commitment. A Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation (located in the Queen Charlotte Strait region of the Central Coast, B.C.), Chief Joseph has dedicated his life to bridging the differences brought about by intolerance, lack of understanding and racism at home and abroad. His insights into the destructive impacts these forces can have on peoples lives, families and cultures were shaped by his experience with the Canadian Indian Residential School system.

2 In 2003, Chief Joseph received an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from the University of British Columbia for his distinguished achievements in serving BC and Canada. In 2012, he was presented The Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. In 2014, he received the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue from Simon Fraser University and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Vancouver School of Theology for his work in reconciliation and renewing relationships between Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. Chief Joseph is currently the Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada and a member of the National Assembly of First Nations Elders Council. He was formerly the Executive Director of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and is an honourary witness to Canada s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Chief Joseph is an eloquent and inspiring speaker. Through speaking engagements, Chief Joseph shares his journey of reconciliation, including his childhood experience at St. Michael s Residential School. He speaks about the important role of reconciliation in moving forward through trauma and will address the reconciliation work that is being done across Canada to build meaningful relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. Reconciliation Circle: Wed. & Thurs. April 13 & 14 at Squiala Longhouse, Chilliwack Squiala Road (turn off at 8528 Ashwell Road just north of rail tracks) Sto:lo and non-aboriginal people are gathering to engage in dialogue aimed at highlighting our shared history and helping dismantle the walls of isolation that have defined our relationship in the past. These 2-days will include sessions focused on moving forward in harmony and building strong relationships and healthy communities for our shared future. Please note: participants must commit to the two full days. This event is hosted and organized by Sto:lo Tribal Council with assistance of Bright New Day Reconciliation Circle. (Timetable, cost, and registration procedure to be advised soon) Wild Salmon Justice Concert. Sat. April 30 at Coqualeetza Longhouse, Sto:lo First Nation, 7201 Vedder Road (opposite Carmen United Church), Chilliwack Doors open 6:00 pm. ($35 for one, Group rates $120 for 4) Tickets sold at the Sto:lo Gift Shop; other places on-line soon. This is a fundraiser for Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance; they are hosting and participating in the 2016 Wild Salmon Caravan June Get ready to rock n roll with Holly Amtzen & Kevin Wright of the Artist Response Team and listen to the heartbeat of our Nations as the Lillooet Bear Dancers show their culture and come down to the bear spirit and the salmon! Dress for the weather and bring a blanket for seating. Bring your drums and rattles. Together we will lift the roof off the Longhouse in celebration. We still have wild salmon to save from industrial harm. Homemade bannock and tea & coffee will be available so bring your own drinking mug to help put a light footprint on Mother Earth!

3 Tentative date: First Nations Worldview Training Sat. May 28 at St. Mary s, Mission, B.C. Tour of St. Mary s old residential school, 9:00 10:00 am, followed by the event from 10:00 am 4:00 pm. Further details to follow in a month or so th Annual Seabird Island First Nations Festival Saturday, May 28 & Sunday, May 29 a celebration of sport and culture Enjoy a traditional salmon barbecue lunch with bannock and Indian tacos, Watch cultural performances by local First Nations singers, drummers, and dancers: 1:30 to 3:00 pm, each day near field 5, War Canoe races: watch pullers from all over B.C. compete in one-person to eleven-person races between 11:30 am and 5:00 pm both days (please bring your own seating), Watch all ages compete in soccer matches, and Ball-hockey throughout the two days, Support local First Nations artisans and business owners. Each day is packed with competitions, fun, and showcases the rich First Nations cultural diversity and history that exists in British Columbia. We can now pay for parking, concessions, and the many vendors with debit cards! Also there will be an on-site ATM machine if we still need cash. Spirit of the People Sto:lo Pow Wow, Sharing our Stories Weekend of July 22, 23, and 24 Grand entry: Fri. at 7 pm, Sat. & Sun. at 1 pm. Tzeachten Sports Field Bailey Road, Chilliwack (off Chilliwack River Road) Admission at entrance: $2 per day ($5 for weekend) bring your own chair. Dancers, Drum contest, Salmon B B Q. Native arts & crafts. Also a tipi village in which story-tellers from different Nations will share their stories. (Washrooms on site. No pets allowed. Drug & alcohol free event)..

4 We shall be putting on an Indigenous Circle in fall 2016, in Chilliwack, or maybe Mission. Full details in a few months. Other Events are in the planning stages for the rest of the year. Will advise in due course! STO:LO CULTURAL TOURS (STO:LO TOURISM) Sto:lo Nation Vedder Road (opposite Carmen United Church), Chilliwack General enquiries: There are several different Tours that can be booked. They take from minutes. Drop by or phone the Sto:lo Gift Shop at (open Tues to Fri. 10 am 5 pm, Sat. 10 am 4 pm). I generally find it best to go there and speak with someone, rather than phoning. Occasionally there are Traditional Medicine workshops and tours available to non-indigenous folks. I am in contact with a lady from the Health Dept. who will forward information in due course. In the large main building opposite the Gift Shop we ll find a small artefact museum, and a reference library open to non-aboriginals, Monday Saturdays. Phone first to check when open avoid lunch time.... Further afield: Diocese of New Westminster Educational Day (in place of Synod this year) Sat. May 14 at the Musqueam Centre, Vancouver... 2nd Diocesan Indigenous Justice Circle will take place Wed. May 25, from 10:00 am 3:15 pm at the Synod Offices, 1410 Nanton Avenue, next to St. John s Anglican, Shaughnessy, Vancouver. Full details shall be posted in time. If you have not already done so please visit All Saint s Website at then click on Ministries at the top. Scroll down to First Nations Outreach where you will see the Overview cover page. On the left is a panel where articles will be found including updates to this website group Sharing a Journey: A Walk of Discovery and Reconciliation.

5 Aboriginal Timeline Activity BC - Sto:Lo people first settled in the area now called the Fraser Valley 796 AD Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi people form the 3-Fires Confederacy (called the Council of 3 Fires) 1000 Approximate date of first contact with Europeans (Based on dating the remains of a Norse Village) 1142 The Iroquois Confederacy which defined the 5 Nations is formed 1763 Known as the Indian Magna Carta, unique aboriginal rights are first acknowledged by the Crown by Royal Proclamation 1840 s First Residential Schools opened in Canada 1869 Louis Riel leads the Red River Rebellion in support of Métis rights Treaty number 1, the first numbered treaty, is signed by Queen Victoria 1876 The Indian Act becomes law, officially making aboriginal people wards of the government Residential School attendance is made mandatory for all Indian children 1885 Louis Riel is hanged as a Traitor 1951 The so-called Potlatch Laws are repealed, giving aboriginal people the right to practice ceremonies previously banned by the Indian Act 1960 Aboriginal people are given the right to vote in Federal elections. Prior to this, aboriginals had to give up status and treaty rights to vote s to 1980 s (called the 60 s Scoop) Aboriginal Children are forcibly removed from their homes, families, and communities and placed into foster care with white families in Canada, the US, Britain, and other parts of Europe 1969 Prime Minister submits the White Paper proposing the total elimination of Aboriginal rights and Status 1982 The Constitution Act affirms that aboriginal status rights are Inextinguishable by Law 1985 Bill C-31 passes into Law. Prior to this, if an aboriginal woman married a non-status man, she lost her status and all her aboriginal rights St. Mary s Indian Residential School, Mission, the last functioning residential school in B.C. closes 1996 The last residential school in Canada closes in Fort Qu appelle, Saskatchewan 1999 Supreme Court of Canada rules that aboriginal fishing rights allow for the right to sell their catch in order to make a Modest Living, and not just the right to catch food for their own families.

6 .. If you have time to browse go to the following Facebook pages, and Like so you can become friends their posts are often enlightening: Ernie Crey (Chief of Cheam First Nations), (Diocese of New Westminster) DNW Indigenous Justice Circle.. (Prepared 03/03/16)