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Spuzzum abuzz with Fish Ceremony

Spuzzum First Nation hosted feast to honour their lawyer Susan Tanko.
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Salmon at the Spuzzum Fish Ceremony



Spuzzum First Nation served up a feast Aug. 26 to honour their lawyer Susan Tanko.

“If we need help with any land claims or entitlements, she’s there for us to get everything in order for us,” said co-organizer and elder Nita Bobb, who said Tanko has done a lot for the Spuzzum First Nation.

The Spuzzum First Nation Fish Ceremony saw a welcome ceremony as fished cooked under hot smoke. Participants from different nations trickled in with dishes for the potluck such as rice, salads and dessert.

Bobb added that the ceremony also serves as a means for people to connect with each other and “enjoy a nice fish ceremony.”

Representative from various bands and First Nations attended including Chief Mike Campbell of the Boothroyd Band, Grand Chief Robert Pasco of the Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council, members of the Boston Bar First Nation and Rod Peters, a Seabird Island First Nation member and Fraser-Cascade School District 78’s Aboriginal Education Coordinator.

“We had many nations here, had lot of people here and everybody wanted it back in the community,” said Bobb. “We had it in Alexandra Bridge last year but they thought it’d feel better, that they like it in the community, so this is where we’ll host all our fish ceremonies for now.”

As the clock struck 2 p.m., elders and Spuzzum First Nation Chief Harold Bobb surrounded the salmon, prayed and opened the buffet to everyone.

The spread of the buffet was certainly sumptuous. Multiple long folding tables held bowls after bowls of variety, and at the end of the line up were burgers fresh off a barbecue.