Event: ‘Journey canoe’ launch by Musqueam Indian Band and UBC
Date/Time: Saturday August 6, 2016
1 p.m. – Canoe blessing
1:30 p.m. – Cultural performances
2 p.m. – Canoe launch
Event details: For the first time in 30 years, the Musqueam Indian Band has carved a ‘journey canoe’ from a 350-year-old cedar log. The canoe took three months to carve and is part of a cultural revitalization project between the Musqueam band and several indigenous professors at UBC. The project seeks to “awaken the spirit of canoe culture at Musqueam once again,” said band member Corrina Sparrow.
Canoeing has a rich history in the Musqueam community, and the canoe project helps bolster culturally significant programming for Musqueam youth. It has also been used to pass down ancient canoe carving knowledge from master carvers and elders to the next generation.
The 40-foot boat will push off into the Fraser River for the first time on Saturday.
Media are invited to attend the canoe launch and naming ceremony. For more information, click here.
Location/Map: Beach near Musqueam Indian Band Cultural Pavillion, 4000 Musqueam Ave (map)
Interviews:
Corrina Sparrow
Social Development Manager, Musqueam Indian Band
Phone: 604.671.9222
Email: socialdev@musqueam.bc.ca
* For potential interviews with master carvers Elmer Sampson and Dickie Louis, and Musqueam youth, contact Corrina Sparrow.
Shelly Johnson
Assistant Professor, UBC School of Social Work
Phone: 778.220.3546
Email: shelly.johnson@ubc.ca
Photos: http://bit.ly/2aQxm1J