A little rain didn’t dampen spirits on Friday June 20, when students and staff from across VSB gathered to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. This annual celebration is a day dedicated to honouring the rich cultures, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

Hosted at the VSB Education Centre on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), the event was a vibrant celebration of Indigenous identity and community with drumming, singing and dance. Students had the opportunity to engage in learning about Indigenous culture and artistic expression.

The day began with a smudging ceremony, a sacred Indigenous practice that helps to centre, ground and connect participants to the land. This was followed by a land acknowledgement by David Delorme, District principal of Indigenous education and welcoming by Alec Dan and the coastal Wolfpack of Musqueam.

Both superintendent Helen McGregor and Chas Desjarlais, director of instruction for Indigenous education delivered remarks.

“Indigenous excellence is every day,” said Desjarlais.

Students witnessed Indigenous excellence from the following:

• Métis Dance by Campaigni V’ni Dansi Society
• Strathcona Drum Group
• Jingle Dress Dance by Nyla Bedard Tahltan/Kaska
• Hoop Dance by Petie Chalifoux Driftpile Cree Nation
• Git Hayetsk “People of the Copper Shield”

For Nightengale teacher Cara Laudon, it was important take part in celebrating Indigenous excellence. Throughout the school year, Laudon’s class started the morning with a circle outside and land acknowledgement followed by learning and singing Indigenous songs.

“Hearing familiar songs, the songs that we sing has been really good and being able to learn from all kinds of Indigenous communities all over has been something the students haven’t seen before,” said Laudon. “Being able to be a witness and sharing what they’ve learned with their families has been one of the key teachings today.”

“It is quite fun to see the dances, enjoy the rain and meet up with a whole bunch of different schools,” said Madeline a Grade 5 student in Laudon’s class. “For me it’s learning about the history.

Grade 6 student Elyas echoed the importance of witnessing the day and learning from different cultures.

“It’s important to learn about Indigenous culture because Canadian lands came from Indigenous lands,” he said.

Thank you to all students and staff who celebrated and witnessed Indigenous Excellence at VSB’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration!