Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!
The Nisga'a Lisims Government and Nisga'a Nation would like to extend our warm wishes of Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day to all indigenous people far and wide and especially to the citizens of the Nisga'a Nation!
What is National Indigenous Peoples Day?
National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day recognising and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis Indigenous peoples in Canada. The day was first celebrated in 1996, after it was proclaimed that year by then Governor General of Canada Romeo LeBlanc, to be celebrated on 21 June annually.
On June 21, 2017 - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement pledging to rename the event National Indigenous Peoples Day. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde supported the proposed change, called it an 'important step,' citing the terminology used in the landmark United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
On June 16, 2017 - the Gitlaxt'aamiks Elders hosted an early Aboriginal Day celebration in the Nisga'a Village of Gitlaxt'aamiks which was a great successful event! The event kicked off with a parade that is continously growing every year. The NCFS Family Support Service Department entered a float and represented Nisga'a Lisims Government. The theme of the Gitlaxt'aamiks Aboriginal Day celebration was 'Rock-N-Roll of all ages' and even had the Ultimate Brian Elvis Simpson Impersonator present all day who also performed later in the evening. All day events included inflatables for the children and competition events included: jail-n-bail, dunk tank, sumo wrestling, bull riding, moccasin mile, moose call, wheel and stick race, 3 on 3 basketball, arm wrestling and tug of war. There was an impressive spread of BBQ food, various local vendors and a smoke house raffle. Si'aamhl Wilin Gitlaxt'aamiks Village Government Staff, Elders and Community!
NLG NCFS Family Support Service Department Aboriginal Day Parade Float
The winners of the Gitlaxt'aamiks Aboriginal Day Parade Floats were:
1st Place - Nisga'a Village of Gitwinksihlkw
2nd Place - Nisga'a Elementary Secondary School
3rd Place - Lisims Nass Valley RCMP
The Programs and Services Department collaborated with Terrace/Kitamat Crime Stoppers to host a 'Jail-n-Bail' at the Aboriginal Day event which is a fun way to raise funds to put anyone in 'jail' for a bail of minimum $20 and all proceeds went to the Terrace/Kitamat Crime Stopper chapter. This was a great initiative and the Programs and Services was pleased to collaborate. Even President Eva Clayton and Chairperson Brian Tait were put in jail!
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day from the Nisga'a Nation!