Local groups unveil canoe at Aboriginal Day

A local project that brought together a number of local groups reached the finishing stages on Thursday. A project to design and build a 3 foot canoe, got its start back in November of 2006, as local Tsimshian artist Russelll Mather and the Friendship House’s Kevin Leach reached out to local schools to get involved. The result of their hard work was unveiled in front of a large crowd of spectators at the Civic Centre on Thursday, part of the Aboriginal Day festivities in the city.

The Daily News featured all the details in their Friday edition.

MANY HANDS HELP TO MAKE CANOE PROJECT A SUCCESS
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, June 22, 2007
Pages one and three

Local Tsimshian artist Russell Mather, along with Friendship House partner Kevin Leach, unveiled the 30-foot canoe project they had been working on during the Aboriginal Day ceremonies yesterday.

With the help of students from all 12 district schools, Mather and Leach finally saw the fruit of everyone's labour in all its glory in front of a packed civic centre crowd.

"Back in November 2006, I was sitting with Russell in the Friendship House, deciding what project to take on next," said Leach in his ceremonial address.

"And we looked at a poster that had the saying We invite you to canoe with us, but learn how we paddle before you try and chance the strokes.'"

At that moment Mather and Leach knew the canoe project was something they wanted to undertake, and after reaching out to all schools in School District 52, they had more than enough help to make it a success.

After more than 700 hours of work and $7,000 in grant money, and many, many coats of paint, Aiyooh (eye oh) was finally complete. The name was chosen by the Friendship House elders, and translates to "one jumping salmon," which is traditionally what First Nations elders say when they see the whale or salmon breach the water.

Mather and Leach hope the project makes a splash by encouraging all those gathered at yesterday's Aboriginal festivities to take a role in preserving the piece, by coming back from time to time to restore the original work. And the many students who helped paint Aiyooh won't soon be forgotten, they all have their handprints painted on its underside.

"We thought the hands on the bottom of the canoe was a great metaphor," said Leach. "So every time it's out on the water, it will have all those hands lifting it up and guiding it along."

"And [the kids] will all have their own stories too," said Mather. "They can say I remember what happened on that day, there's my handprint.' And only so many people can fit in the canoe, so a little piece of all of them will be there on the journey."

The canoe will be stored at the Friendship House when it's not in use, but it is expected to get plenty of use during the summer by the canoe club and at the many re-discovery trips organized by the Friendship House.

Farley Stewart, director of the Friendship House was on-hand to say a few encouraging words yesterday.

Outgoing school district Superintendent Brian Kangas also thanked all the participants for their dedication to the Aiyooh project.

"This project is symbolic of the school districts partnership with the Friendship House, and the many students who helped paint it, but it's also symbolic of learning," said Kangas.

"It's a wonderful partnership and we have many projects we're all very proud of."

Lt. General in town to help celebrate Aboriginal Day

The Lt. Governor, the Honourable Iona Campagnola was in town on Thursday to help in the celebrations for National Aboriginal Day and to hold a Community reception in the city Thursday evening.

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In addition to all that excitement, she is to hold a lunch reception with the crew of HMCS Vancouver which pulled into port during one of its Northern waters patrols.

Originally from Prince Rupert, Campagnola will also no doubt try to fit in some time with a few old friends before heading off to the Charlottes and a continuation of her Northern tour.

She will also stop in at Campbell River to tour the recently completed First Nation-themed Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship Terminal.

The Daily news featured all the details of the Lt. Governor's trip as well as the Aboriginal Days itinerary on its front page on Wednesday.

Aboriginal Day drawing big names
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Page one

Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo will be in Prince Rupert on Thursday to help celebrate National Aboriginal Day.

The trip is part of a three-day tour that includes stops in Prince Rupert, Lax Kw'alaams, the Queen Charlotte Islands and Campbell River.

Campagnolo will also spend time with the crew of the naval vessel HMCS Vancouver during a lunch reception after it arrives on the North Coast.

"The HMCS Vancouver is up in the area doing patrols and they wished to do something with her honour," said Heidi Elliott, programs manager for Government House.

"And there are communities on the Queen Charlotte Islands that she has never visited."

Campagnola, who grew up in Prince Rupert, will take part in the ninth-annual National Aboriginal Celebrations at Rotary Waterfront Park (or if it rains the Civic Centre.)

The event runs from noon to 9 p.m. and should be extra busy because there will also be a cruise ship in town with about 2,400 people aboard.

The main entertainer will be Cheri Maracle and Band, Cheri and her sister, who is part of the band, graduated high school in Prince Rupert. She is a Tyendinaga/Six Nations Mohawk and Irish actor/singer/songwriter based in Toronto, Ontario.

There will also be other local entertainers including Rudy Kelly, Nassville 5, Sylvia Hill, Cedar Road Headstart Children, Smhalaayt Dancers, Sugyigyet Dancers, Gitmaxmak'ay Dancers, Kwe Unglis Dancers and Metis Dancers. Also kindergarten students from the Conrad and Roosevelt Schools will perform songs and dances and the Style Force Crew, a group of break dancers from Terrace will be in the line-up.

Campagnola will also attend a community reception at the Chatham Building at the Museum of Northern B.C. starting at 5:30 p.m. and the public is welcome to attend.

The Honourable Iona Campagnolo is the 27th Lieutenant Governor of the province, installed on Sept. 25, 2001.

Her six-year term was extended by the Prime Minister last year and at the moment, her term is set to expire this September.

Her career path has included broadcast media, public office and public service as well as in international advocacy supporting democratic development and human rights, as well as a political career that began on the Prince Rupert school board.

She also sat as Member of Parliament representing the people of Prince Rupert.

On the last leg of her visit, Campagnolo will visit Campbell River to tour the newly opened Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship Terminal.

The first of its kind in the world, the First Nation-themed Wei Wai Kum Cruise Ship Terminal opened June 5 with the arrival of Regent Cruises' 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner. The $24.5 million terminal is owned and operated by the Campbell River Indian Band.