Aboriginal Days event celebrate the solstice THE SUMMER solstice has many meanings for many cultures. For the First Nations, the sols- tice, June 21, is a time of renewal, says Peter McKay. The language and cultural co-or- dinator al the Kermode Friendship ' Centre, McKay is one of the organi- zers: of Skeena. Aboriginal Days, June 21-22. . “Phe solstice is one of four days in our calendar,” says McKay. “Each of those four days is a day of prayer.” “Itis a time of reflection, a new beginning,” McKay added of the solstice. - That: renewal and reflection will be noted at the June 21 ceremonies . at George Little Memorial Park. - ‘Beginning at 7 p.m., there will be a welcome speech, prayers, an ex- planation of the solstice, drumming, singing and an honouring of the past. “The heartbeat drum ceremony is part of the idea of a new beginning,” said McKay of one of the features of the evening. He's extended an invitation to anyone with a drum to participate. “The more peaple turning out, the more powerful it is,” McKay added. If the June 21 ceremony is a re- flection of the summer solstice, the events of June 22 are the celebra- tion. Beginning at 8 a.m. in George Little Memorial Park and lasting unti} 11 am., there’s a pancake breakfast. At 9:30 a.m. there are opening ceremonies followed by a 10 a.m. multicultural drum circle and dance UNBC honours artist x a MEE omer Reval liors extent group at 11 a.m., says Shelly Turner of the First Nations Council of Women who is one of the day’s or- panizers. The First Nations Education Centre, part of the school district, will present educational awards at 1 & p.m. and at 2:30 p.m., there’s a fash- } i ion show. “We'll have games for children, adults and youth throughout the day,” said Turner. “ Topping that list is a moose call- ing contest. Food vendors will be on-site and artists are invited to display their creations. Vendors and artists are encourage to phone Turner at the First Nations Council of Women at 635-1337 or Tammy Fee at the Kermode Friend- ship Centre, 635-4906. George Little Park Friday, June 21" Prince Rupert Saturday, June 22" Terrace Bet AL, ete THE WOMAN who helped lead a renaissance in northwest coast aboriginal art has received an honor- ary degree from the Uni- versity of Northern B.C. Mask maker Freda Diesing, a Haida artist and carver, received an honor- ary doctorate at the class of 2002's May 24 convo- cation ceremony. Earlier this year, Dies- ing earned a prestigious National Aboriginal Award for her contributions to art management at the uni- versity. Honorary UNBC de- grees are awarded to indi- viduals who have earned national distinction through their achievements in public service, the arts, scholarship and business. Past recipients include Bridget Morgan, Ray Williston, Iona Campag- nolo and Joe Gosnell. Last year's recipients were author Denise Chong and philanthropist Jennifer Simons. A convocation dinner and reception was held in Terrace May 26 recogniz- ing local students gradua- ting with masters degrees in education and commun- ity health. Ten students received UNEC certificates in Gitx- san at a convocation cer- emony May 27 at the Gi- tanmaaxs Hall in Hazel- ton. 2002 Juno Nominee MARCEL GAGNON will be performing at the Freda Diesing _ treaty, Kins. “time between Terrace and Prince Rupert, B.C. --other students, too, parti- -: with her at Kitsumkalum -the 1980s. ~neur Ike Barber also re- -ceived an honorary degree -War veteran and Univers- .ity of B.C. forestry gradu- ‘ate, started Slocan Forest “"-He. donated $500,000 A www.pitch-in.ca and culture. Diesing joins other pro- minent northwest residents who have received a Na- tionialAboriginal Achieve- ment "Award. ae 3» In2000,- Nisga’a leader *. Joseph Gosnell received a lifetime achievement award for his role in nego- tiating the Nisga’a treaty, B.C.’s first modern day Farmer Haida nation president and B.C. Treaty Commission chief com- inissioner president Miles Richardson won an Natio- nal Aboriginal Achieve- ment Award last year for his environmental work, “Twelve career awards, one youth, and one ltife- time achievement award ‘are given out each year, * -Diesing, a carver who began her career in the 1960s, taught a number of other notable artists who came after her, including Dempsey Bob, Norman Tait, her nephew Don Yeomans and Alvin Ad- 4 8 | B 2 : 8 : Diesing now divides her She recenlly told the Terrace Standard she va- lued the dedication of her cularly: those: who studied over three winters during Forester and entrepre- from UNEC this spring. “ Barber, a Second World Products, named top-pro- ducing forestry company in the world in the late 1990s. for a forestry lab at UNBC and’ was: instrumental in seeing Slocan donate an- ‘other $400,00 to create a major research program on mixed wood ecology and Earth.. our living room.. KEEP IT CLEAN! A proud supporter of — National-Aboriginal Dig 4916 Hwy. 16 West, Terrace « www.terraceautomall.com 635-7187 ¢ 1-800-313-7187 R.E.M. Lee Theatre ‘Saturday, June 22 7:30 p.m. Come and enjoy truly Canadian music for all ages. 4 r f é p Tickets available at Sight & Sound, Skeena Mall. Visit our website at www.marcelgagnon.com corner posts, a more traditional coastal entrance to the main hall, & the store maintaining the original west coast design by Freda Diesing. This design contains our 4 main crest designs: the Raven, Eagle, Killerwhale & Wolf. With a Robin design on | the top. The Robin is central to the legend of how & why the Kitsumkalum people settle here. Located next to the new store, | are two totem poles raised in 1987. These poles were designed by Freda Diesing & carved by local Kitsumkalum members. Gift shop owned & operated by the Kitsumkalum Band Council. House of Sim-oi-Ghets means ‘House of Chiefs’, Originally built & opened in 1971. Built to resemble a traditional longhouse. Rebuilt with the Kitsumkalum Community Centre in 1996 & reopened in April 1997 in the new building. The new structure was built maintaining many longhouse designs, including log Located 3 miles west of Terrace on Yellowhead Highway 16. 638-1629