Soaring Saint PAGE 25
FRIDAY June 26, 2015 • www.langleytimes.com
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SPORTS Gillis Gone Camping
‘They never took the Indian out of me’ KWANTLEN ELDER RECALLS HORRORS OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS MONIQUE TA MMING A Time s Re po rte r
JAMES INGLIS L an gley Time s
“Stars of the North” drum group entertained the crowd during the National Aboriginal Day celebration at Douglas Park on June 21. More photos online at langleytimes.com.
Drums, song welcome visitors to Aboriginal Day celebrations LANGLEY EVENT DREW HUNDREDS TO DOUGLAS PARK ON JUNE 21 JAMES I N G L I S Ti m e s Co nt r i b u t o r
Hundreds of people gathered in Douglas Park in Langley on Sunday to mark National Aboriginal Day, a day of celebration created in 1996 to recognize the heritage, culture and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Elders took to the stage to share stories of Aboriginal history, beliefs and culture. Performers entertained with traditional and current music, songs and dance.
Community and aboriginal businesses and services set up booths to display their wares to shoppers, while a free hot dog barbecue and a supply of bottled water kept the crowd fueled and hydrated for the duration of the celebration. Aboriginal elder Lekeyten explained that a “sacred voice of big drum” would be used to welcome the people to the celebration. “The sacred four legged animal that gave its life for the skin of the drum and the sacred tree of life that gave its life
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to be part of the sacred drum,” he said. “The male and female part, the drumstick and the drum. “They go together. One cannot go without the other. “On Aboriginal Day you all get to watch and enjoy the children enjoy today because they are the ones who are going to be standing here when it is our turn to be the sacred guides to the spirit world. Today is Aboriginal Day for all people of all races,” said Lekeyten.
When Josette Antone Dandurand was seven years old, she and her five siblings were taken from their parents by an Indian Agent and an RCMP officer to live in a residential school. The Kwantlen First Nation elder lived in the humiliating and horrific environment for 10 years. Her entire childhood was taken away. “But once I realized it wasn’t my fault, I could be brave enough to start telling my story,” said Dandurand, who spoke at the June 16 school board meeting. She was joined by members of her family, including her son, Luke, a Langley school Aboriginal support worker. Former trustee Cecelia Reekie also spoke. “The goal at residential school was to take the Indian out of us. “They never took the Indian out of me. I have always been proud of who I am,” said Dandurand. She has been spending much of her time sharing her story with students at schools all over Langley. She also is part of the Little Feathers preschool for Aboriginal children that teaches culture, singing and drumming, along with elders teaching children the traditional language. This aspect of Canada’s history has never been part of the school curriculum, but that should soon change. On June 16, trustees pledged to take their role in building reconciliation seriously, including incorporating the history of residential schools, treaties and Aboriginal rights, as well as the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canadian society, into public education, said board chair Rob McFarlane. Continued Page 3
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