Grace Robinson performs her Red Dress Tribute to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
Morgan Haynes-Hill, 21 months, moves to the SD52 All Nations Drummers during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
Gerald Stewart weaves a bracelet at his vendor booth during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
The School District 52 All Nations Drummers perform during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
The School District 52 All Nations Drummers enter the arena during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
The Prince Rupert Coastal Tide U13 boys basketball team raises funds for next year’s Junior All Native Basketball Tournament during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
Kids play Plinko to win swag during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
Keona St. Louis performs during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
A bouncy castle was a popular attraction for the kids during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
Classes from all the SD52 schools in Prince Rupert filled the bleachers at various times throughout the afternoon during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
The Maxlaxaala Sugyigyet dance group performs during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
The Maxlaxaala Sugyigyet dance group performs during National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
Marray Smith from the Indigenous Education Council speaks during opening ceremonies at National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond speaks during opening ceremonies at National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
National Indigenous Peoples Day emcee Kuuk iiwaans (Kiefer Collison) entertains during celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)
Food concessions at National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, June 21, 2023 included barbecue kebabs. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)Prince Rupert packed the Jim Ciccone Centre today to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day.
Events kicked off around noon with a welcoming prayer by Sm’ooygit Gitxoon (Alex Campbell) followed by a presentation honouring residential school survivors, those who didn’t make it home and war veterans.
Other dignitaries including Murray Smith from the Indigenous Education Council, Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, Kate Toye from the Board of Education and superintendent of schools Andrew Samoil also spoke before emcee Kiefer Collison kicked off the entertainment.
Collison took a poke at the ever-changing language used to refer to Indigenous people.
“Don’t mind the Aboriginal People’s Day banner, I think it’s still OK to call us aboriginal… maybe the politicians present can tell us what we’ll be called next,” he quipped.
Afternoon performers included the Maxlaxaala Sugyigyet dance group, Keona St. Louis, the SD52 All Nations Drummers and Grace Robinson.
Still to come this evening are The Legendary Chad Estrada, the Coastal Drifters rock band from Terrace and “the little girl with the big voice” Terri-Anne Strongarm.
Events, including door prize draws are scheduled until 8 p.m.
thom.barker@blackpress.ca
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