Nuu-chah-nulth-aht living in the Vancouver area filled a large hall in the Japanese Language School on Thursday, for the second of five urban gatherings held this month for those living away from their home territory.
At the Downtown Eastside venue 147 people came to enjoy the Christmas meal, plus staff from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. The Dec. 4 gathering enabled family members to connect over a Christmas meal, which was preceded by the Dinner Song led by singer Howard Morris, who is part of the NTC team travelling to various locations this month for the urban gatherings.
Multiple other songs filled the massive room on Vancouver’s Alexander Street, plus other activities for young and old like a photo booth, henna painted tattoos, a table for traditional cedar weaving and a “laughing yoga” session led by Lisa Watts. A table was also present from the First Nations Health Authority offering an array of program information.
NTC Vice-President Les Doiron held a captive audience through the evening, which concluded with recognitions for long-serving Vancouver Friendship Centre board member Julia Eaton, veteran journalist Wawmeesh Hamilton and James Harry, a Haisla Nation member who actively supports others in their addictions struggles as founder of the All Nations Outreach Society.
The tribal council holds the urban gatherings each December to give Nuu-chah-nulth people living in urban centres a chance to come together for a holiday meal. Following the gatherings in Victoria and Vancouver, an event is scheduled in Nanaimo on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Beban Park Auditorium, followed by a gathering in Port Alberni’s Italian Hall the next day and a final get together in Campbell River on Dec. 11 at the Thunderbird Hall.
