Bert McKay (right), a Nishga’‘a elder, stands with Andy Lee, Pacific. Western Airlines represen- tative. Young Nishga’ ‘a children watch their tribe perform at B. G. Place In Vancouver. _ Nishga’ a N ative Indians" ~ attend celebration — ; Friday, } March 21, 1987 marked an historical day for many of British Col- umbia’s Native Indian groups. by Elizabeth Evans Terrace Contributor The 12 hour long ‘ultural celebration began vith a parade at B.C. lace on Saturday at 11 .m. The event, which was vriginally planned as be- ing a small rally, marked the beginnings of talks about Native Solidarity. Wednesday, March 18 marked the beginning of a four day trip to Van- couver for myself and the Gitlakdamix Dancers. We left Terrace shortly after 6 p.m. on a Pacific Western Air charter flight. All of the flight and hotel arrangements were looked after by Haida Travel, located in the Skeena Mall in Terrace. For many of the Natives, this was their first time ever on an airplane. So luckily, we had a smooth flight. We arrived at the Van- couver International Air- port around 7: 20 p. m. The dancers, dressed in their traditional blankets, paraded into the arrival area where approximately 150 friends and relatives greeted them. There were 109 Gitlak- damix dancers travelling together, so it took quite a few taxis to get everyone to their destinations. Some people even got to travel into the city in style, limousines and all the works. Most of us stayed at the beautiful Century Plaza Hotel. Thursday was scheduled to be a time of relaxation and shopping in order to prepare for the following day. The dancers were in Vancouver in order to at- tend a 12-hour event at B.C. Place on Friday, March 20. Over 20,000 _ The plans for a small demonstration resulted in over a dozen native -na- tions getting together. to demonstrate to both Pro- vincial and Federal governments their pro- posal for native self government. There. were. 14 tribal groups in attendance for the cultural. celebration. The represented tribes at natives, from over a dozen different tribes, gathered together in order to rally for their cause; Native _ Solidarity. The event was also referred to as Project North: seeing justice for Native Indians. © It was also a chance for . the young and the old to enjoy the City of Van- couver. We were staying - at the Century Plaza, located at 1015 Burrard Street. It is centrally located, which is great because there is so much to offer in the downtown area. Some of the nearby facilities are your basic sports such as jogging and raquetball. Another fea- ture of the hotel is a heated pool, as well as steaming saunas. And of course, being only blocks away from Pacific Center, Robson and Granville Street shop- ping is made easy. You don’t have to worry about parking, taxis or buses, you can walk to your [ _ “shopping destination’’. Another ‘great advantage of this downtown hotel is that you can unload your packages and then go and shop some more. There are 250 suites at the Century Plaza, in- cluding the Honeymoon suites on the 30th floor. — The rooms offer magnifi- cent views of the city, My room was on the 30th the 1987 Potlatch were: Musgeum Nation, Sto: - Lo Nation, Burrard Na- tion, Nanaimo Nation, Squamish Nation, Nicola . Valley Nation, Kwakiutt © Nation, Kootenay Nation, Okanagan Nation, K’San Nation, Alkai Lake Na- tion, Haida Nation, Nulu — Chan P Nuilth Nation and the Nishga’a Nation. The Potlatch was a re- floor penthouse level and also featured a jacuzzi. For entertainment and dining the Century Plaza rates number one. While I . was staying at the hotel, I dined at Roy’s Seafood Restaurant located onthe lobby level of the hotel. Roy’s is a beautiful restaurant with fantastic food. ‘There is a large variety of seafood to choose from ranging from ‘Red Snapper to fresh Crab. And for you land- lubbers, there are also several poultry and meat dishes to choose from. Roy’s also features a great dessert menu — | from double chocolate mousse to white chocolate mousse with Beigian chocolate and a home- affirmation of Indian Culture, a chance. for the various Indian groups to get together like . their ancestors used to. The event was an opportunity for not only the different: tribes to meet, but a chance for natives to display their culture and their heritage. The Northwest ‘region was represented. by: the - Gitlakdamix dancers perform- made raspberry puree. All of the desserts are created at Roy’s —.they are a few extra calories, but “it’s worth it! End your evening by visiting Mardi Gras, a top Vancouver night . club, which is located on the lower level of the hotel. If you are staying at the hotel, or if you have dined at Roy’s, you are con- sidered a V.LP., so you can bypass the entrance lineups at Mardi Gras. The club features a superb ' sound system and video screens _ in elegant sur- roundings. There is also the Cafe Plaza for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as -Rumrunners, a quaint lit- tle lounge. GROCERY PICKUP From Safeway 1:30 & 5:00 PM dally plus 8:30 PM Thurs Ye Fri, Ly8400 | _FREE LY SEMIORS.. on 2 Sei through Chimo aleway. 698-8530 Chimo Delive "No vehicle? _—») Do you have problems with picking up prescrip- tlons, groceries, appilances or anything else? For all your moving and delivery needs, phone for ex- perienced and speedy - service. Nishga’a Nation, which: consists mainly of Natives from Terrace, New Ai- yansh, and a few from. other areas: such as: Kin- colith, Canyon City, and Greenville. Approximately 120 Nishga’s together, sharing with the audience -a part of their heritage. They performed a number of dances gathered © The Century Plaza is a great hotel to stay at while - you. are ‘“‘getting away from it all’’. It is a perfect getaway — and a great place to unwind. ' The trip came to a close . early Sunday morning. By 7-am., we were all on Pacific Western flight 237 heading back home. originated from the battles. they have endured in order: ‘to maintain - the : Nass Valley. According to the. history. of the. Peace dance, the story goes that ‘the Great Supreme Power gave them” the Nass 7 Valley. The Native position: i is that there will be no com- promise, that the Govern- ment must. come to their terms. They ‘feel that the land is theirs and they. want land rights and- Native self government. The celebration ended late Friday night, but that was just the beginning. Native leaders travelled to Ottawa on Sunday in order to attend the First Ministers Conference. Their goal was to further discuss. aboriginal con- stitutional -rights, their | claim for land rights in British Columbia . and Native Solidarity. The. First Ministers ‘Conference commenced Thursday, March. 26. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney began the talks. by smoking a peace pipe. Motor Inn This week’s feature; | A guide to Terrace's night life — the “who. . where and when” for ‘entertainment. | Outstanding Entertainment | nightly!