Snuneymuxw Celebrates Culture and Youth with Open Weekend Festivities
Community Invited to Embrace Tradition and Modern Activities
The Snuneymuxw First Nation is hosting a vibrant weekend celebration of its culture and young people, welcoming everyone to join the festivities. The event, which kicked off Friday, July 25, features a dynamic mix of traditional and contemporary activities.
Thrilling Competitions and Cultural Games
The weekend began with exhilarating war canoe races along Needham Street and Shoreline Drive. This year’s Snuneymuxw Days also includes a competitive basketball tournament and the captivating traditional bone game, Lahal. Event coordinator, Kate Good, elaborated on the nuances of Lahal.
“They sit across from each other, and one team has the bones, and they hide them, and the other team is the guesser. They’re looking for the striped bones, I believe, and that can go on for hours, going back and forth, because you win sticks that they have lined out in front here. Once the other team has all your sticks, then they’re the winners.”
—Kate Good, Event Coordinator
Tribal Journeys Participants Add Special Flavor
Adding to the cultural exchange, a jam session and feast are scheduled at the nation’s longhouse. This coincides with the stopover of canoe paddlers participating in the Tribal Journeys, who will be visiting the territory during Snuneymuxw Days. Kaimemeux Blaney, a participant in the Tribal Journeys, expressed his anticipation for the more relaxed atmosphere of the jam session and feast.
“It’s gonna be a lot more light-hearted. In our protocol sessions you have to do a lot more prep, everyone has to come prepared … but when it’s these jam sessions, it’s a lot of sharing, it’s a lot of giving. It’s everyone coming out and sharing what they have. You’ve got a lot of fun songs, and everyone comes together and sings them as one, which is awesome, and it’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen – I love it.”
—Kaimemeux Blaney, Tribal Journeys Participant
The significance of shared cultural experiences is immense; in 2023, Canada’s Indigenous tourism sector saw significant growth, with visitor spending reaching an estimated $1.8 billion, highlighting the economic and cultural impact of such events (Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, 2023).
An Open Invitation to Experience Snuneymuxw Days
Kate Good reiterated the inclusive nature of the event, encouraging widespread community participation. Drivers are advised to access the reservation via Needham Street.
“Pack up your chair and come and enjoy all the festivities that we have to offer down here. It is an open event, and we would like to see as much community as we can.”
—Kate Good, Event Coordinator
The festivities will continue through Sunday, July 27. For further details, interested individuals can visit http://snuneymuxw.exposure.co/.