National Aboriginal Day
I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing First Nations people during National Aboriginal Day in Victoria, B.C., Canada.
-
- Esquimalt dancer Teddy Sampson, 28, from the Esquimalt and Songhees Nation, has been dancing since he was nine-years old. ” It’s about the energy, nothing comes between me and dancing. I get into the zone.”
-
- Lil’wat Nation member Nelson Leon, 33, has been singing for as long as he can remember. ” Without people like me, people wouldn’t be able to dance. It’s the heartbeat of our people. I wear my regalia to show pride of where we come from. It’s my identity.”
-
- Amber Snow,11, from the Lil’wat Nation, has been dancing since she was two. “I get to learn more about my culture and improve my dancing.”
-
- Shenoa Snow,17, from the Lil’wat Nation, has been dancing since she was three. “It’s something I’ve always done. I enjoy doing it and I get to meet a lot of people.”
-
- Arizona Snow,13, from the Lil’wat Nation, has been dancing since she was seven. “I like the travelling and meeting new people.”
-
- Robyn Ambrose,8, from the Ahousaht tribe, has been dancing for two years. ” I’m First Nations. It’s my culture.”
-
- Neve Watts,9, from the Ahousaht tribe, has been dancing since she was two-years old. ” I like to dance because that’s where I’m from and it’s part of my culture.”.”
-
- Le-La-La Dancers Director, George Taylor, from the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation in Alert Bay, B.C. “It’s about sharing the spirit with all walks of life. There’s a lot of misconceptions about our people. This is a positive step for our next generation. We should all respect each others culturals beliefs and be positive in life.”
-
- August Thomas,42, from the Esquimalt and Songhees Nation, has been dancing for 26 years.”The smiles on peoples faces. It’s good medicine for me to see people smile.”
-
- Le-La-La dancer, Andy Everson,41,from Comox and the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, has been dancing since he was 12 years-old.”I have a responsibility to do it. I enjoy it and it helps keep our culture alive in following the traditions of our ancestors.”
-
- Tzinquaw dancer, Gilbert Joe,25, from the Cowichan Tribe,has been dancing since he was in middle school.”I want to represent my culture.”
-
- Claire Everson,12, a youth performer from Comox,B.C. has been dancing all her life. “I enjoy it. I don’t know any different.”
-
- Matthew Everson,9, a youth performer from Comox,B.C. has been dancing all of his life. “I have fun dancing. I really enjoy it.”
-
- Calvin Charlie-Dawson,16, Kingcome Squamish Nation has been dancing since he was very young. “It’s cultural. It’s what we do. I enjoy it.”
-
- Alex Wells, 38, a three time world champion hoop dancer from the Lil’wat Nation, has been dancing for 24 years. “The gratitude for being able to do this for a living. A way of life. Something that’s part of my heritage and native culture.”
