DSC_0796.JPG

It was an event of historic proportion as the Nisga'a Nation hosted the BC Assembly of First Nations 13th Special Chief's Assembly in the Nisga'a Village of Laxgalts'ap on March 14, 15 & 16, 2016.

March 14th consisted of a Cultural Day celebration to formally welcome BC AFN Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson, Chiefs, Proxies and other delegates and dignitaries including NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant Melanie Mark.  Ms. Mark received a very warm welcome from fellow Nisga'a in attendance.

Cultural Day festivities included lively cultural song and dance performances by Gitlaxt'aamiks Ceremonial Dancers, Gingolx Cultural Dancers, Laxgalts'ap Cultural Dancers and the Khast'an Drummers from the Lheidlii T'enneh Nation.  The day was then rounded up with a traditional feast-style dinner with Nisga'a Stew on the menu.

March 15th was day 1 of the BC AFN's business agenda.  Highlights of the day included a lunch hour presentation from the Chief and Council of the Laxgalts'ap Village Government, who presented Nisga'a Citizen Melanie Mark with gifts to commemorate her recent achievements in becoming the first Aboriginal woman elected as MLA in the British Columbia legislature.  Following LVG's presentation, AFN Nationa Chief Perry Bellegarde, BC AFN Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson and members of the First Nations Leadership Council then presented Melanie and her mother with gifts as well to commemorate her achievements as a First Nations woman.

March 16th was a historic day for the Nisga'a Nation as Grand Chief Edward John acknowledged the Nisga'a Nation for their leadership in advancing Aboriginal rights and title in British Columbia and Canada in the historic 1973 Calder Case.  Grand Chief John went on further to apologize to the Nisga'a Nation on behalf of First Nations political leaders of the day who did not provide their political support to the Nisga'a Nation in the Calder Case.

It was a long-anticipated and welcomed apology for President H. Mitchell Stevens, all members of Wilp Si'ayuukhl Nisga'a (WSN) and simgigat and sigidimhaanak' present who stood before Grand Chief Ed John, Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson and other members of the First Nations Leadership Council to acknowledge the apology.  In an emotional address, President Stevens mentioned that all of the Nisga'a leaders who advanced the Calder Case have long gone on to the spirit world and as descendants of those ancestors, they accepted the apology on their behalf.

The day also included a memorable lunch hour Keynote Address from First Nations actor Duane Howard whose most recent work include Oscar winning film 'The Revenant' with Leonardo DiCaprio.

Many hands of the Nisga'a Nation contributed to the wonderful success of hosting this high profile event on Nisga'a Lands.  Si'aamhl wilsim'!

For more photos capturing the exciting three days, visit our photo album at http://nisgaanation.zenfolio.com/f178644502