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Tems swiya museum and culture in 2015

One Mind, One Heart, One Spirit

The other day I was cruising down the highway in North Vancouver to bring my two younger cousins Erika Vader and Tyrone Joe-Mayes, who are studying at Capilano University, back to the first ferry and our conversation was steady.

Both my relatives and co-workers know that I am past the half way mark of my morning coffee because I have actually started to converse. We took the time to plan a community snowshoe tour and Erika and I also capitalized on the opportunity to gloat and to rib Tyrone that while he will be in school during the summer working on his degree, we will be up the Inlets camping and canoeing and thinking of him. We all laugh. 

This upcoming year is going to be an adventure no doubt as the shíshálh Nation cultural department, that we all are so fortunate to work for, are endeavouring to accomplish a great deal. Our six priorities include: cultural and community outreach, land use and rediscovery, elders and art.

The tems swiya museum and cultural centre will showcase two main exhibits — in May on residential school and resilience — and on rediscovery, outdoor education and leadership in September. We have a lot of work ahead, but lots of fun. I still pinch myself that I have this dream job.

Nancy Denham, John Denham and Sue Spurgeon will be joining our cultural team to do ethnographic training and to assist with our interview research for the residential school exhibit. Nancy will be conducting community dialogue circles in the next few weeks.

I am looking forward to working with John France to prep for the regional district orientation on shíshálh culture and history and community building.

Jessica Silvey, our museum curator and cultural instructor, will be doing community workshops with weaving, art and cultural tours. You can find more information on our tems swiya museum Facebook page or email candace@talaysay.com for our public calendar events. 

Ron Steven (Rogest), in partnership with the museum, will be hosting an art workshop in the spring with shíshálh Nation and Sunshine Coast residents. There will be space for 20 adult artists and in a separate workshop, 20 children/students. There will be an art exhibit to showcase the work. Stay tuned for more information.

Mark your calendars for our longhouse event and community celebration on Thursday, Jan. 29.

This will be a potluck dinner with drumming, singing, dancing and storytelling from 5 to 7:45 p.m. This is a shin dig, informal community gathering for all Sunshine Coast residents.  Cost is $10 per person or $25 per family. Funds raised will go to our Aboriginal Day Celebration in June.

I also want to wish our Chief, hiwus, Calvin Craigan a happy birthday. We had a great celebration at the community hall last week.