Na'tsa'maht Naming Ceremony

Na'tsa'maht Naming Ceremony

Last week, on Tuesday April 19th, Camosun's new Aboriginal gathering place officially received its name: Na'tsa'maht. Na'tsa'maht means 'Unity' in Hul'qumi'num, a neighbouring Coast Salish dialect.

A few hundred people gathered for the naming ceremony, which featured several speakers, a drum song written specifically for the naming celebration, dances by Aboriginal staff & faculty, and a wonderful spread of food for all to enjoy.

Janice Simcoe, John Boraas, & Kathryn Laurin each spoke to the historic occasion as representatives of the College. Minister Ida Chong also said a few words, as well as Butch Dick - local Songhees elder, who initially came up with the building's design. Butch's son Brad wrote a song specifically for the naming ceremony which was performed by the Unity Drummers drumming group.

Faculty, Staff & Songhees community members dancing

From a student's perspective, it was a real treat to see our faculty and staff dressed up and dancing in beautiful shawls made by Doreen Provencher's sister Denise Williams. They looked great and it made us very proud to see our role models taking a lead in the ceremony. Skip Dick welcomed everyone to the territory and it was wonderful to have the generous, gentle and jovial Songhees people play a big part in the event.

John Boraas & Butch Dick

Near the end of the event, Butch was presented with a framed architectural drawing of Na'tsa'maht, to which he replied with characteristic humour, "I'm glad to finally get my drawing back!"

I even had the honour of speaking a few words at the end of the ceremony and I just talked about how comfortable it felt to speak in such a welcoming environment. Our students finally have a place to call home and the ability to host special community events. Just like anyone who enjoys hosting company in their own home feels, we all feel excited that we can do the same thing on a much larger scale and provide greater opportunities for bringing together the diverse Aboriginal Communities in Songhees, Esquimalt & W̱SÁNEĆ territories. Thank you to all who played a part in bringing this project to fruition and to all who made the ceremony a great day to celebrate!

Official Camosun Story: http://camosun.ca/ccr/news/2011/apr/natsamaht.html
More pictures! http://www.flickr.com/photos/26399591@N03/sets/72157626534977204/