[Bcma-l] Wearing Traditions event information *Note the date changed to August 12

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

	The West Vancouver Museum, in partnership with the Squamish Nation, is 
offering a rare opportunity for the public to enjoy the rich clothing 
traditions of the local First Nations people through traditional dance, 
contemporary fashion and art. This special Harmony Arts Festival event 
at the West Vancouver Museum on Sunday August 12th will include Sna7em 
dance group’s cultural performance, aboriginal designer Pam Baker’s 
fashion show, and weaving demonstrations by Squamish artists Tracy 
Williams and Keith Nahanee. Stitúyntm Enduring Traditions Exhibition 
11am-5pm The West Vancouver Museum invites you to explore Enduring 
Traditions and experience the artistic expression of the Squamish people 
who utilize unique design elements and composition to create striking 
masterworks. This exhibition brings together historic and contemporary 
objects and images from both private and museum collections, offering an 
opportunity to appreciate treasured objects on public display for the 
first time. Dance Performance by Sna7em 1 pm The Sna7em dance group of 
the Skwxwu7mesh Nation brings Squamish family histories, songs, legends 
and dances to life with their energetic performances. The name Sna7em is 
derived from the Squamish word representing the power, strength and 
energy of the Thunderbird. Members of Sna7em range in age from 4 to 65 
and perform dances handed down through the generations. The Sna7em dance 
group provides a glimpse into their culture through singing, drumming 
and dancing. Fashion Show by Pam Baker 2 pm First Nations fashion 
designer Pam Baker blends traditional aboriginal designs into her 
contemporary clothing. Her company “Touch of Culture” centres on the 
principle of providing people with the opportunity to explore how modern 
style can be combined with traditional symbols. A fashion show of Pam 
Baker’s design will be accompanied by drumming and singing by William 
Nahanee of the Squamish Nation. Cedar-bark Weaving Demonstration by 
Tracy Williams 3-5pm Tracy Williams (Sesemiya) of the Squamish Nation is 
an accomplished weaver who learned basket weaving from her grandmother 
and many other First Nations people along the Northwest Coast. Tracy 
says “I feel very honoured to carry on the teachings of our Ancestors 
and love to spend time harvesting Cedar, digging for roots, and creating 
clothing, hats, and basketry. My greatest accomplishment will be to 
ensure that my children learn how to weave, so that this knowledge will 
survive and thrive for many generations to follow.” Blanket Weaving 
Demonstration by Keith Nahanee 3-5pm Weaving continues to hold both 
symbolic and artistic value among the First Nations people and beyond. 
Squamish artist Keith Nahanee, who taught himself how to carve and 
weave, will demonstrate his skills in the art of Salish blanket weaving 
and share his passion in spinning, dyeing, and weaving. His creativity 
and respect for ancestors show through in his sophisticated weaving 
designs. Keith says “Everything I do, I am meant to do it. I was meant 
to carve and weave. I carry on what my ancestors did. I believe 
everything is intended.” Do not miss this special afternoon event at the 
West Vancouver Museum and discover the traditions behind the celebrated 
art, dance, and fashion of the Coast Salish First Nations people. Thanks 
to our sponsors, admission to the Wearing Traditions event is free. 
Please contact the West Vancouver Museum for more information. Please 
note: the date of Wearing Traditions has changed from July 28th to 
August 12th. Wearing Traditions Ets7utsis telh tim’á-chet Experience the 
local First Nations Culture and Art At the West Vancouver Museum West 
Vancouver Museum 680 17th Street West Vancouver, BC V7V 3T2 Tel: 
604-925-7295 Web: www.westvanmuseum.blogspot.com Contact: Kiriko 
Watanabe, kwatanabe@westvancouver.ca - 30 -