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RRU celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day

Event includes traditional canoe landing protocol practice
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Youth go on a canoe ride just off the docks off Royal Roads University during National Indigenous Day in 2016. This year’s event, which takes place on Thursday, June 21, includes a traditional canoe landing protocol practice led by Songhees Nation Elder Butch Dick, a canoe challenge, traditional drumming, and singing and dancing, among other things. (Gazette file photo)

Royal Roads University will be celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day this week.

The event includes a traditional canoe landing protocol practice led by Songhees Nation Elder Butch Dick, a canoe challenge, traditional drumming, singing and dancing, children’s field games, traditional foods, craft workshops, artists, vendors and a traditional plant walk along Colwood Creek with Cowichan Nation Elder Kenneth Elliot.

“It’s exciting to see how this event has grown in recent years,” says Asma-na-hi Antoine, manager of Indigenous education and student services at the university.

“We owe a big thanks to our partners, supporters, volunteers and guests for making this day possible. It’s been a pleasure working together to create such a vibrant event that celebrates Indigenous cultures and community relations.”

The celebration takes place on Thursday, June 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The canoe landing protocol practice begins at 10:30 on the shores of the Esquimalt Lagoon, followed by the canoe challenge.

Admission is free and parking is complimentary. A shuttle service will also be offered free of charge between festivities at Sneq’wa e’lun (Blue Heron House) at Royal Roads and the Indigenous Perspective Society’s celebrations at the West Shore Parks and Recreation lower field, 1767 Island Hwy.


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gazette.com