The Haisla Nation Culture and Language Program will be hosting a x̄á’isla nation’s walk for strength for Indigenous day, June 21, at 10:00 a.m.
The purpose of the walk through the community is to bring Haisla Nation members together and show their collective support to each other.
The Haisla Culture and Language Program asks all attending the walk to bring their regalia or orange shirts, as well as their own drums and rattles.
Haisla Culture and Language Program also encourages everyone to bring photos of their loved ones if they wish to honour them.
Those attending the walk will start at the Haisla Recreation Centre, walk towards the field, turn left at the Sunrise General Merchandise store off Haisla Blvd., walk past the new health centre and the C’Imo’Ca Child Care Centre, down to the Haisla Community School, then back up to the recreation centre.
For Indigenous History Month, the Haisla Nation Culture and Language Program are running a series of Zoom-based virtual sessions with guest speakers, which are open to the public, as well as an Amazing Race-type event for the Haisla community members.
The Zoom-based virtual sessions will discuss the following topics:
On June 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the culture and language program will also be hosting a presentation regarding an interactive map that will take a virtual trip down the channel in hopes to support each other in learning about collective history.
On June 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the culture and language program will be hosting a presentation about who the x̄á’isla are, with discussions on how to strengthen the collective awareness of the Haisla history.
On June 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the culture and language program will be hosting a presentation on Nuyem teachings and audience members will have the chance to have a conversation about supporting each other in learning about Nuyem.
And on June 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Crystal Azak also known as Mihlgum Goot, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies from UNBC’s affiliate school Wilp Wilxo’oskwNisga’a Institute, will be sharing a presentation on First Nations-based linguistic programs and opportunities.
Other guest speakers like, retired teacher Joseph Starr, also known as also Gya-you-stews-JoeStarr, had a Zoom-based virtual session with the public and talked about curriculum development and the history of early schooling for Clmoca children by the Methodist Church of Canada, which is now known as the United Church.
He also talked about his published writings, In and Out of Context, Nosta, Nuyem Weaver, The Storm - in Aboriginal Voices 2: A Collection of Indigenous Authors and Artists in Canada. As well as his soon-to-be printed publishings, Papagaing a Nation: 1870’s-1906, and The Anderson Home for Boys and Later Home for Boys and Girls: 1893-1906.
The culture and language program asks all attending any in-person events to respect the Covid-19 restrictions to ensure safe spaces for all attending.
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