TOURISM – Throughout Canada we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples. The day weaved together ceremony with celebration, festivity with sombre reflection, timeless rituals with modern adaptations and all were accompanied by various traditional foods, music, artistry and dance. These events, large and small were joyful, poignant, at times solemn reminders of a history that has been anything but picture perfect.
Indigenous Peoples Day has many meanings for many people. For some, it is a celebration of culture, a proud moment to claim or reclaim their identity. For others, it is a time of reflection, a time to remember tremendous loss as well as an opportunity to recognize some of the positive gains that have and are being achieved. Notwithstanding the fact that there continues to be a sense of uncertainty and mistrust it is also true that this is mixed together with a renewed suggestion of hope and cautious optimism. Without question Indigenous Peoples Day carries an ever-growing importance that reflects the significance of the Indigenous role in this lands’ past as well as its future.
For the non-Indigenous, we have an opportunity now, more than ever before, to engage, to listen, to learn and to start a renewed relationship. These communities are rich with stories, anchored by spirituality, connected and respectful of mother earth, and driven by a resilience that has helped them endure a long history of struggle. Taking the time to discover and understand this culture and how it has survived will continue to bring us closer together as people and as a country. Theirs is a heritage that is centuries, not decades old, and has deep and meaningful roots.
Across our country and indeed throughout this region, Indigenous Peoples share many similarities, but more importantly, many unique differences. Each nation is distinct and over centuries this has played a major part in the individual community’s ability to find ways to preserve themselves, adapt and move forward. The Thompson Okanagan region is home to three such separate Indigenous nations: The Syilx, The Secwepemc, and The Nlaka’pamux. All three offer a timeless history that create a picture of this region in thoughtful and meaningful ways. And as in the past, all three are crucial to the ongoing success and future of this region.
The relationship we, as TOTA, share with these nations continues to grow and deepen. In 2017 our first Indigenous Board Chair was elected, Frank Antoine, a member of the Secwepemc, and the Cultural Co-ordinator at Quaaout Lodge in Chase. Frank has played an instrumental role in guiding and mentoring our organization. Through his mindfulness and thoughtful approach to life, those around him begin to look at things differently, alter their actions and find themselves positively transformed.
As I reflect on Indigenous Peoples Day I am reminded of the tireless work that has been done by so many to bring us to where we are today and yet how much work there is still to be done. The foundation is being laid for a strong, vibrant and healthy Indigenous culture and each one of us can play a role in helping to move this vision forward. Education, engagement, support, participation and understanding. By taking the time to get to know your Indigenous neighbours through all of those avenues, you will find that not only are you helping to make positive change occur, but your own life will be greatly enriched.
Our Syilx people have an incredible Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, and an amazing Sncewips Heritage Museum in West Kelowna. The Secwepemc people have the awe-inspiring Quaaout Lodge in Chase and the historic Secwepemc Museum in Kamloops. The Nlaka’pamux people have both the delicious Kekuli Café and the inspiring Nlaka’pamux Creations next door to one another in Merritt. No matter where you call home in our region, there is Indigenous culture for you to explore.
When share and understand the things that are important to each of us, we begin to truly understand who each of us are.
We are all better together, succeed together and can set an example for the world together.
LEARN about Indigenous culture
BUILD new & better relationships
OPEN UP to new opportunities
Glenn Mandziuk is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Region. He can be reached at ceo@totabc.com