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Celebrating Hope's heritage

About 500 people participated in National Aboriginal Day in Memorial Park
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The third annual National Aboriginal Day in Hope featured drumming and dancing by Sacred Connections.

About 500 people attended the third annual National Aboriginal Day in Hope on Saturday.

Hosted by Trails Crossing Friendship Centre, the celebration featured drumming and dancing by Sacred Connections (right), music with Earl “Earlvis” Louis (bottom left), standup comedy by Opi Oppenheimer (bottom right), traditional arts and crafts, bannock making, storytelling, carving by local artists, and a visit from the B.C. Elders Gathering king MI:Mel Spath (Roger Andrews) and Queen Yayuts Kiia (Audrey Kelly), who were representing the Shxw’ōw’hámel First Nation.

“The weather held out for us. Mother Nature was definitely looking out over our shoulders because as soon as we finished at 4 p.m., it was stormy,” said event organizer Naydeen Spencer. “It was a lot of fun and well attended. People were happy to see the friendship centre in the community, but also that we were celebrating National Aboriginal Day. It’s really nice to have that recognition.”

The 50/50 draw raised $91 for the non-profit organization this year.