People dance at the National Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration on June 21, 2019, at Trout Lake in Vancouver, B.C. Photo by Stephanie Wood
“It’s really good to be here and to be brown today,” said Rosemary Georgeson. “I love it.”
Georgeson sat at a booth for Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS). Beside her, teens sold traditional teas and salves they had made. In front of the booth stood a tall model of a Te Smailetl, also known as a Sasquatch (Te Smailetl means "Wild People" in the Squamish language).
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A group of children involved in their programs made the Te Smailetl, who they named Jonathan, for people to take selfies with.
"He draws a big crowd. Big Sasquatch, big crowd," laughed Georgeson, who is a Coast Salish and Sahtu Dene artist and playwright.
Rosemary Georgeson helps at the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) booth on National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, 2019. Georgeson says this is the third year VACFSS has taken part in the celebration in Vancouver's Trout Lake. Photo by Stephanie Wood
This was just one booth at Trout Lake in Vancouver, where hundreds of people gathered for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.
#ICYMI - photos of Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrations across B.C.
Vancouver is home to more than 60,000 Indigenous people from many communities. Justine Wallace, whose ancestral name is Shakota, said the celebration showcases the diversity across Indigenous communities.
Justine Wallace, or Shakota, spins a prize wheel for a crowd of kids in Vancouver, on June 21, 2019. Photo by Stephanie Wood
"I think it's important to have that sense of community among all diverse nations, among all races of people," said Wallace, who is Lil'wat and Carrier Dakelh. She works at Vancouver's Native Education College.
Vancouver may have had one of the largest celebrations in the province, but it certainly wasn't the only one. Here are some more photos from Vancouver and more communities around B.C.
James Thomson, left, and his son Robert Thomson, who holds his daughter River Thomson. James and Robert, who are Haida and Tsimshian, are both musicians who were watching the music performances at Trout Lake in Vancouver, on June 21, 2019. Photo by Stephanie WoodMaster carver Anthony Paul, from shíshálh Nation, helps people carve notches in a reconciliation pole in Sechelt, B.C., on June 22, 2019. The carving was organized by the Syiyaya Reconciliation Movement. Photo by Tamar Kozlov
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Shannon and Shauna Baker, from Stellat'en First Nation, emcee celebrations for the host,Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, in Prince George, B.C. on June 21, 2019. Known as "the Baker twins," the sisters work as models and actors in Canada and the United States. Photo by Peter MiltonKevin Hill helps lead a kids' lacrosse corner organized by B.C.'s Indigenous Sports, Physical Activity and Recreation Council at Trout Lake in Vancouver on June 21, 2019. Hill is general manager for the Burnaby Lakers and Mohawk from Six Nations. Photo taken by Stephanie Wood
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Indigenous and non-Indigenous paddlers took to the water in Port Moody, B.C., for an evening paddle on June 21, 2019. Photo by Stephanie WoodCharlene Aleck and elder, Ta7ah Amy George, from Tsleil-Waututh, return from a canoe journey in Port Moody, where they led a water ceremony on June 21, 2019. Photo by Stephanie Wood
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