A day of remberance at the
Vancouver Art Gallery

» Indigenous strength on display

 

Matthew Fraser
Editor-in-Chief

 

n Thursday September 30, Canada

honoured the inaugural Orange Shirt
day and Truth and Reconciliation day of
remembrance. As part of their cultural
outreach the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG)
hosted ‘Xweyene:msta:m ?akwasqwel,
seyem (translated as a call to witness/listen
to respected one). Beginning at 12 pm, the
event included speeches from MP Heidi
Frye, MLA Melanie Mark and Squamish
Elder Byrone Joseph. This event was meant
as a sharing between local Indigenous
speakers and performers and the wider
Vancouver public.

The performances were led by three
groups: Butterflies in Spirit, Mortal
Coil Performance Society and Tsatsu
Stalqayu (translated as Coastal Wolf
Pack). Butterflies in Spirit is a dance group
comprised of family members of missing
indigenous women. Their goal is to continue
to raise awareness for their disappeared
loved ones and fight for answers. Mortal
Coil Performance Society is a theater and

. a —

stilts society that aims to share intriguing
stories and history with audiences far and
wide. Finally, Tsatsu Stalqayu is a Coast
Salish group with over 50 members aiming
to share their traditional ways and songs in
the spirit of their ancestors.

Though there where easily several
hundred people gathered for the event,
the atmosphere remained attentive and
respectful. As the speeches were delivered,
it was clear that everyone present had a
genuine interest in recognizing history and
moving forwards with reconciliation. I for
one felt both the gravity of the residential
schools history but also the shared need for
progress as felt by those in attendance.

The performances themselves focused
both on honouring the children lost and
traumatized while also celebrating the
resurgence of Indigenous culture and
activity across Canada. Butterflies in Spirit
and Mortal Coil performed together to
outline the coming of the missionaries and
the subsequent founding of the residential
schools. Their joint performance began
with tall and grotesque figures representing
priests, nuns and what appeared to bea
government official ordering the removal

  

of indigenous children. From there, the
two troupes acted out some of the horrors
abducted children faced before an elder
spirit and a bird spirit returned to vanquish
the church and government officials.
Butterflies in Spirit would also perform

a dance on the steps of VAG led by one

of their members rapping and urging

the crowd in call and response. The final
performances by Tsatsu Stalqayu truly
exemplified the powerful defiance of the
attempted destruction as the whole group
sang and danced in the traditional ways of
their people.

Though the event at VAG was
successful, the day was spoiled in hindsight
by PM Trudeaus vacationing. While the rest
of the country was engaged in the hard work
of reconciliation and self education, our
prime minister felt the need to stretch his
legs on the beaches of Tofino. Maybe he felt
he needed a vacation after the unnecessary
election he had called. Nonetheless, berefit
of our leader, most Canadians truly did try
to partake in an honest reflection.

mattheu fraser

Photos by Matthew Fraser

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