National Indigenous People’s Day
On Thursday, June 21, we will be attending the National Indigenous People’s Day Celebration presented by the Port Moody Ecological Society’s Welcome Post Project. This event takes place at Rocky Point Park from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. With traditional drumming, singing, and a blessing ceremony, this is a cultural event to celebrate how lucky we all are to be living on these precious lands.
This will be a Traditional Coast Salish Blessing Ceremony to raise the Welcome Post, which is a legacy for all Port Moody residents to celebrate our multicultural connections and shared responsibility for each other and our land. The Welcome Post Project was a joint venture between the Ecological Society (with the project led by Tasha Faye Evans), Noons Creek Hatchery, multiple grant sponsors, and the City of Port Moody.
Noted Squamish artist James Harry was Artist-in-Residence at the Hatchery in 2017 and created the welcome post carving to be raised. After events in the community and public consultation, Mr. Harry created the welcome post which tells a story of valuing all living things in Port Moody. Like the local salmon, we rely on the beauty of our land, water, forests, and air for our well being. We are, by virtue of living on this unceded, occupied, ancestral and traditional lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, joining the legacy of being Salmon People. Each of these First Nations has given their blessing for the post and the project. As Salmon People, we share in a sacred responsibility for caring for each other and our land.
Based on Mr. Harry’s welcome post, a detail of the centre two salmon was also created and is called, “Salmon People”, after those of us who choose to make Port Moody our home. We had the honour of financially sponsoring a run of 25 limited-edition prints, individually hand-touched with copper-leaf and signed by the artist. Jessica and John will gift you one if you are one of the first ten people to buy or sell a home through us. Otherwise, you can buy one of these incredible prints at the event.
Bring your own blanket and dishes and join in a complimentary feast after the ceremony. Join Jessica and John at the National Indigenous People’s Day Celebration.