Ambassadors joined with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations to Support National Indigenous Day
On September 28, 2022 a small isolated west coast community joined together to reflect on the meaning behind Truth and Reconciliation. Presentations and speakers were followed by a community BBQ at the Bamfield Community School. Participants heard remarkable stories from three school survivors. The event was complimented by the Giant Floor Map which was made available to School District 70 after Ambassadors visited the local elementary school and provided an orientation to all of the resources that came with the kit.
Songs, drumming and traditional dancing emphasized how rich the local history as kids and adults alike joined together. The School District along with Naut’sa mawt Ambassadors are now exploring how an IPAC Map Kit can be obtained for the community on a permanent basis.
One popular ceremonial dance performed at social gatherings is the paddle dance. Performers hold hand-carved, wooden paddles, at times swaying them in a sweeping fashion, symbolizing the paddles’ motion through waters.
Residential school survivors share their stories as children and adults alike listened and learned about the territory and the past.