#FlashbackFriday
My 49th birthday getaway in #AlertBay - #Namgis territory. I got some #Indigenous art gifts 😊
My 51st birthday is February 3rd ✌️

#AsianMastodon #GenX #PeopleWithDisabilities

#SilentSunday - February 2023.

#Namgis #FirstNation #gazebo #lookout is steps away from their big house.

#AlertBay #CormorantIsland #NamgisTerritory #CoastalBC #BCIslands #CoastSalish #SalishSea #Seaview #shelter #Indigenous #NativeArt

#FlashbackFriday February 2023.

Welcome, to #Namgis #FirstNation territory.

#AlertBay #CormorantIsland #NamgisNation #Indigenous #BCFirstNations #CoastSalish #NativeCanada #NativeArt #Cultural #Art #BCFerries #WelcomeSign #KillerWhale #orca #FirstPeoples #Canada #CoastalBC #BritishColumbia #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #IndigenousArt #signs #TourismBC #ExploreBC

#Namgis #FirstNation #BigHouse - #AlertBay #CormorantIsland. From my 2023 visit.

The Namgis #FirstPeoples use their big house for cultural #community events. #T̓sasała #Cultural Group uses the big house for sharing cultural teachings, songs & dances.

"You will see the next generation of #Kwakwa̱k̕a̱wakw sharing our culture to educate the world about our ancient songs, dances, teachings and values. These teachings are still being passed on today to the children of T'sasała.

You will witness the dances of the T̕seka, our red cedar bark ceremony. You will see the traditional dances that connect us to the land, sky, and sea. The #T̕seka will be followed by the T̕ła'sala ceremony - peace dances, then finally the #A̱mlala or fun dances where you will get a chance to join in."
https://www.tsasalaculturalgroup.ca/

#Indigenous #NativeLand #BCFirstNations #CoastalBC #NativeCulture #BritishColumbia #Canada #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #WestCoast #CoastSalish #ExploreBC #SilentSunday #landscape #photography #RainyDay

#AlertBay #marina February 2023.
*Click photo & turn phone sideways for full pano view*

#Namgis #CormorantIsland #BCIslands #CoastalBC #Harbour #dock #marine #nautical #Sailboats #FishingBoats #boats #Panorama #Photography #panoramic #WestCoast #BritishColumbia #PacificNorthwest #PNW #WideAngle #ExploreBC

Huge #OrangeShirt #memorial to honour all the native kids' lives lost in the cruel #ResidentialSchool system.
On the site of one of the worst in Canada - #Namgis territory, #AlertBay. It was called St. Michael's Indian Residential School. It was demolished in 2015. #Umista Cultural Center sits on the old site. #Indigenous peoples have reclaimed their land there & are trying to heal from colonial abuses.

We have racists in #Canada who are currently dishonouring the victims of residential schools by denying survivors' histories & saying mass graves are a lie. This is so wrong. We owe the ones who died & the living survivors support & reparations. Please don't let folks use denialism around you - confront them & stand up for the victims & survivors.

Relevant links:
https://collections.irshdc.ubc.ca/Detail/objects/518

https://orangeshirtday.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michael%27s_Indian_Residential_School_(Alert_Bay)

https://www.umista.ca/

https://www.7generations.org/what-is-every-child-matters/

#IndigenousChildren #ColonialCrimes #ColonialViolence #ChurchAbuses #RacialViolence #IndigenousGenocide #EveryChildMatters #BelieveVictims #SupportSurvivors #NativeChildren #IndigenousChildren #ChildAbuse #ColonialCoverUps #TruthBeforeReconcilliation #Decolonization #DecolonizeYourMind #BritishColumbia #Canada #CrimesAgainstHumanity #CanadasGenocide #BChistory #CanadianHistory #StopRacism #SystemicRacism #SystematicAbuse

If you're up in #Namgis territory/ #AlertBay - you'll want to try & get some yummy bannock eats from #DuchessBannockAndDesserts. The hours are irregular, like most small businesses on #CormorantIsland. If you luck out - you'll find the Duchess of #Bannock & she will fill your belly while engaging in lively conversations!
I found out on my 2023 trip there, that she's an Auntie/relative to some of my Indigenous friends 💗

She gifted me a book, a magic hat bunny plushie & gave us free cheese bannock bites to eat on the ferry. We bought 3 different bannock goodies from her.

#NamgisNation #SupportSmallBusiness #IndigenousFoods #NativeSmallBiz #CoastSalish #BCIndigenousSmallBiz #NativeFoods #CoastalBC #IndigenousOwned #ExploreBC #BCBusiness #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #POCwomen #CulturalConnections #CulturalDiversity

#AlertBay in Winter 2022.
The wobbly deep sea #pier #dock beside a deteriorating #boathouse.

*Click image to expand & flip phone sideways to see full panorama.

#Namgis #CoastalBC #RoadTrip #ocean #sea #nautical #marine #panoramic #panorama #seascape #landscape #WestCoast #BritishColumbia #Canada #PacificNorthwest #PNW #BCCoast #BCIslands #TravelBC #BCFerriesTrip #WorldInMyEyes #DisabledPhotographers #photography #SilentSunday

With #Namgis #FirstNation crew at 2022 #WildSalmon #flotilla #protest in #Tofino. This flotilla was led by Namgis Chief, Ernest Alfred - in the middle of photo.

Our boat captain is on far right, Willie Mitchell, Indigenous former #NHL player. I was invited to join Namgis leaders boat for this flotilla.

#VancouverIsland #BCIndigenousChiefs #NativeChiefs #IndigenousLeaders #BCFirstNations #NativeBC #IndigenousBC #NativeLeaders #FishFarmsOut #WildSalmonAlliance #ProtectTheWild #WildFirst #SaveWildSalmon #DemandMPAs #BCpoli #CDNpoli #OceanGuardians #monochrome