Read about recent Nisga'a Day Celebrations at NLG
Nisga’a Day celebration
On Tuesday May 19, Nisga’a Lisims Government welcomed the Nisga’a Nation to its open house in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Nisga’a Day! Celebrations had been rescheduled from May 11 out of respect for the families who were recently bereaved in accordance with our Ayuuk.
The festivities kicked off with a rousing performance by the Majagaleehl Nisga’a Band who marched from the Gitlaxt’aamiks Recreation Centre to the NLG administration building parking lot. As master of ceremonies, the Executive Chairperson Kevin McKay welcomed everyone to enter the open house while the Band played more music for the public.
Everyone gathered in the Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a legislative chamber to listen as our President of the Nisga’a Nation, H. Mitchell Stevens, spoke to Nisga’a citizens in attendance and through a webcast (you can still watch the recorded proceedings on our livestream account http://livestream.com/accounts/8043264/events/4025584).
President Stevens stated that “We can be proud of the accomplishments of Nisga’a Nation to improve the quality of life of our people.” In the last 5 years alone our trust has almost tripled from $97 million in 2010 to $270 million today. President Stevens also shared from the statement to the 1913 Petition which provided the mandate for the Nisga’a Tribal Council to resolve the land question and Nisga’a Lisims Government to pursue sustainable prosperity.
This was followed by comments by Executive Chairperson McKay honouring our past leaders on our wall of fame. Dr. Joseph Gosnell was then invited to share his thoughts and mentioned that we have accomplished much in the last 15 years, and when you consider most 15 year olds are considered young, he shared that in some ways we are almost like a teenager
Gary Patsey from Nisga’a Employment Skills and Training (NEST) gave a presentation of the emolument and other services. Jolene Sampare of the NIsga’a Museum shared info about the upcoming Norman Tait exhibit and the Arts Festival set for May 30, 2015 at the museum near Laxgalts’ap.
Lunch followed where hotdogs were prepared for the visitors who also received swag upon registration containing a mug or a hat. Free helium balloons were provided to kids, and free temporary tattoos.
The event was made all the more remarkable by the effort by the employees of NLG who pulled together to host this entirely new event at a different location with less than a week to prepare.