Hay’sxʷqa (thank-you in Lekwungen dialect)
To everyone that contributed to the success of our celebration of Pacific Indigenous arts and cultures through music, dance, film, digital art, photography, weaving, carving, and community discourse!
Each year our One Wave Gathering offers unique opportunities for communities to engage with local and international Indigenous artists, youth and culture. Since 2008, our international Pacific Indigenous arts cultural celebration has been held on the unceeded traditional territories of the Lekwungen speaking peoples (now known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) and the W̱SÁNEĆ. We raise our hands to the Esquimalt, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations for their hospitality, guidance, and support, and to their leaders (young and old) who guided us and opened our events in a good way. With great respect and appreciation we give special acknowledgement to Florence Dick for protocol and coordination support, and to South Pacific cultural ambassadors Po & Savea Loli.
“This year over 1500 people participated during our rich program offerings and activities; we were thrilled to see that level of community-engagement and transmission of knowledge. We are forever grateful to the dedicated community members, participants, and volunteers, many of whom, I understand have been returning year after year.” Steven Davies, One Wave 2019 Coordinator.
Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) is a Victoria-based non-governmental organization and registered charity, which works in partnership with people of the Small Island Developing States of the South Pacific and First Peoples of Canada. At PPP, we promote rights-based sustainable development models that empower communities while respecting cultural integrity and the fragile island ecosystems upon which they depend.
PPP was proud to hold the 12th annual One Wave Gathering series, a celebration of Pacific Indigenous arts and culture from September 12 – 25th, 2019. One Wave is a collection of free family-friendly community events where everyone is welcome. This year’s Gathering was held in four locations; the FLUX Gallery, Centennial Square, the Alcheringa Gallery, and the First Peoples’ House Ceremonial Hall at the University of Victoria.
The opening night of our Gathering, and launch of our two week Pacific Resurgence Exhibition at the FLUX Gallery, featured local protocol and territorial welcomes, and digital media installations, film screenings, cultural displays and presentations by Steve Sxwithul’txw, Lorilee Wastasecoot, Tiffany Joseph, Margaret August, Joe Martin, Living Islands, Melanesian and Polynesian representatives from Vaka Taumako, and the Marshall Islands. We thank these dignified guests; as well as the other Indigenous artists whose work was featured during our Pacific Resurgence exhibit but could not attend; Na’alehu Anthony, Eli Enns (lisaak Olam Foundation), and Austin Willis.
“I’d like to say thank you to the Pacific Peoples’ Partnership for their invitation to participate in the 12th annual One Wave Gathering! I enjoyed it very much and was able to share a lot of knowledge about canoe carving. I met a young Lady from Neah Bay Washington who is planning to come for a visit and participate in a canoe carving program with me soon. Of course there were many others that I met who are also interested in learning about canoe carving too, like Doug Lafortune.” – Joe Martin, Traditional ƛaʔuukʷiatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Canoe Carver
“I was quite moved by the whole event. Firstly, so many people came up to admire the portraits of the four Indigenous women that I had painted. Many of them recognized the subjects and told me how they were connected with them, and also some of the wonderful things they contribute to the community. Secondly, I had some very illuminating talks with various people about the growth within their communities, in particular about the reclamation of their aboriginal language. There was a gentle buzz of enthusiasm and optimism among the Indigenous people that I spoke to and that seemed to emanate from the whole event, Thirdly, the presentations were fun and lively and offered much entertainment for me sitting in my booth. Thank you once again for this educational and entertaining opportunity.” – Elfrida Schragen, Artist [Note: All proceedings from Ms. Schragen’s honorary portraits benefit Our Place”]
Our second One Wave event, held in partnership at the Alcheringa Gallery,
featured a stunning exhibition of surfboards, each uniquely treated with contemporary and traditional designs by some of our provinces most accomplished Indigenous Artists. Special thanks to Alcheringa Gallery and owner Mark Loria for hosting this mini PPP fundraiser and artist talk as part of Surfer’s Paradise: Northwest Coast Surfboards. Featured artists included Dylan Thomas and Margaret August. Protocol and a territorial welcoming was given by Dylan’s dad Paul Thomas.
During our third signature event, free public programming at Centennial Square included special guests and participants from Songhees, Esquimalt, W̱SÁNEĆ, Makah, T’Sou-ke, c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht First Nation), Tla-o-qui-aht, Samoa, Hawai’i, French Polynesia, and the Solomon and Marshall Islands. We’re grateful to all of our cultural presenters, as well as their friends and families who joined us throughout the day of diverse family fun programming. Centennial Square performances and presentations included the Lekwungen Traditional Singers and Dancers, Tradewinds South Pacific Band, Joe Thomas’ Esquimalt Singers and Dancers, Roy Henry Vickers’ Peace Dancer (Roy performed with cast and crew from Theatre Inconnu and Puppets for Peace), the Pearls of the South Pacific, ANSWER (All Nations Strong Women for Education and Reconciliation), Melanesian and Polynesian representatives from Vaka Taumako and the Marshall Islands, the Unity Drummers, as well as a special guest appearance by Maori actress Rena Owen (Once Were Warriors; and one of only 6 actors in the world to have worked with both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg during her illustrious career that spans 3 decades).
Thank you for joining Pacific Peoples’ Partnership in achieving this year’s success! It would not have been possible without so many good hearts and minds; including all of our volunteers of course- who contributed significant time and support throughout the development and facilitation of programming for each event.
We are thankful to the many non-governmental organizations who also came out to participate including the World Fisheries Trust, ŚW̱,ȻENEṈITEL foods initiative, Sierra Club of BC, United Nations Association of Canada, TLC – The Land Conservancy of BC, Orange Shirt Day (Every Child Matters), Dogwood Initiatives, Mosquoy, Ocean Networks Canada, Citizen Climate Lobby, Living Islands, South Pacific Islander Organization, VIDEA, Geronimo Canoe Club, Edible Landscape Design, and the South Vancouver Island Chapter of the BC Council for International Cooperation.
We thank all the artists, Cultural organizations, and Cultural Ambassadors who offered a range of hands on arts and cultural activities and/or encouraged meaningful dialogue and cultural safety including Florence Dick, Jessica Sault, Joe Martin, Barry Sam, Charles Elliott, Myrna Crossley, Beangka Elliott, Mua (Muavae) Va’a, Po & Savea, among many others.
“The response from the public at my table was fantastic! People of all ages stopped by, asked questions and shared some of their history with textiles as well. Countless times people expressed that they thought this festival was wonderful and the common theme in conversations was they hoped it would return next year. An added bonus, I too was able to meet some of the other exhibitors who warmly shared their knowledge and culture.” – Myrna Crossly, Coast Salish Weaver
Our final solidarity building event, The RedTide: International Indigenous Climate Action Summit Presentation, was held at the First Peoples House Ceremonial Hall at the University of Victoria on Friday, September 20, 2019. Co-hosted by CIRCLE and the Indigenous Studies Department; in commemoration of the first day of the global climate strike, we featured our collaborative work on RedTide which featured a special film and global Indigenous youth panel discussion with Kalilah Rampanen, Kl.Peruzzo, India Logan-Riley, and Erynne M. Gilpin. Cultural protocol and guidance was provided by May Sam, Savea Loli and PPP President Mua (Muavae) Va’a.
“I’m a visitor from the Nlha7kapmux territory and I’ve been attending One Wave Gathering on and off for many moons. Each year I find myself in awe of the variety of representation of Pacific Nations. The thing I enjoy the most is seeing community members, friends, colleagues and new friends demonstrate pride in cultural sharing and knowledge. Thank you Pacific Peoples’ Partnership for hosting the events associated with One Wave. It’s community events like this that will continue to maintain Indigenous space and awareness of the unceded territories along the Pacific.” Tanya Adams, Nlha7kapmux
One Wave Gathering 2019 was made possible by the generous contributions of Canada Heritage, Victoria Foundation, City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt, Capital Regional District, Province of British Columbia, Government of Canada, The Full Circle Fund of RSF Social Finance, and Tamalpais Trust,
We would also like to give special thanks to our key programming partners: Songhees Nation (Florence Dick), Esquimalt Nation, MediaNet, Alcheringa Gallery, Puppets for Peace, Theatre Inconnu, CIRCLE at the University of Victoria, Living Islands, South Pacific Islander Organization, Legacy Gallery, and Royal BC Museum.
Media and Business supporters: Rika Art / Heywood Beaudry Designs, Metropol, Saanich News, Times Colonist, Monday Magazine, The Q & Jack FM, Level Ground, Fresh Slice, Second Slice and Vancouver Island Brewery.
Our final report will be posted on our website shortly or you could request us to send you one by email: info@archive.pacificpeoplespartnership.org
For more information you can check out our Facebook page, and contact our Program Coordinator for more information: steven@archive.pacificpeoplespartnership.org
Legacy Project!
Work is underway on the collaborative Pacific Peace House Post to mark the ongoing legacy of our connections across the Pacific and we are will be unveiled during our main event at Centennial Square on September 14th!
The Pacific Peace House Post will be jointly created by Bradley Dick of Songhees Nation and Ake Lianga from the Solomon Islands. Each are tasked to bring their own teachings, cultures and art forms together to build a symbolic carving that honours the historic and contemporary connections between Indigenous peoples and the diverse peoples of the South Pacific. Both Bradley and Ake will be working with the support of their cultural mentors and communities as they create this symbolic artwork, made from an 8-foot red cedar log that was skinned and hollowed out by Songhees Carver Tom La Fortune.
Following their cultural and creative preparations, Bradley and Ake are now working within the Songhees Carving leading up to our One Wave Gathering. Periodic open houses will be announced for drop-in sessions to meet the carvers and see the progress. Please watch our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages for notices or drop us an email and we will keep you informed.
Special Thank you to our Funders and Partners – we couldn’t do this without you!:
Pacific Peoples’ Partnership offers our heartfelt thanks to our confirmed 2019 One Wave Key Partners and Contributors: the Government of Canada, Canadian Heritage, Province of British Columbia, Victoria Foundation, City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt, Capital Regional District, MediaNet, Alcheringa Gallery, University of Victoria – CIRCLE & Indigenous Studies, Tamalpais Trust and of course, to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations for their incredible ongoing support and contributions. We also acknowledge the growing list of business donors which include Level Ground Trading, Metropol printshop, the Zone, the Q, Second Slice, Fresh Slice, Belfry Theatre, and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
Our Gathering would not be possible without the generous time and knowledge shared by Elders, knowledge keepers and youth from Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation and the South Pacific Island Communities. Thank you for walking with us in our journey and ensuring that we do our work in a positive and meaningful way. Huy ch q’u!
Want to be involved? Do you like the impact of our work across the South Pacific? We are always accepting new volunteers, generous donors, or even subscribers to our bimonthly Pasifik Currents newsletter. One Wave Gathering welcomes you! Please email our Team at info@archive.pacificpeoplespartnership.org to get involved!
