Nisga’a Nation Hoobiyee back for 2023 at Vancouver’s PNE Forum | 24CA News
Another huge cultural competition, the Nisga’a Nation’s new yr celebrations named Hoobiyee, has made a comeback after two years of pandemic cancellations.
First Nations from throughout B.C. are in Vancouver on the PNE Forum for the two-day celebration.
“It’s a tradition brought back to life not once but twice in the last thirty years,” stated Sayt Dakhl (Beverly Azak), a Nisga’a Knowledge Keeper.
A Nisga’a soup containing fish was ready on Thursday to serve greater than a thousand folks.
“They say when you are eating, you are ingesting the knowledge. You’re ingesting it and it’s feeding you,” Dakhl stated.
COVID-19 put a pause on this celebration of the brand new yr and the brand new season of harvest. It had been banned till the Nineties.
And so, after two years following the pandemic, the Nisga’a folks had been hungry not only for meals however for a deeper connection.
“When Hobiyee happens, or any feasting happens, it’s really important for our families to come together, share food and share stories,” Dakhl stated.
Dakhl stated her ancestors watched the solar, the moon and the celebs intently, and for this celebration — the moon takes centre stage to foretell the approaching season.
“We know that when it’s tilted up a bit, it’s going to capture whatever goes into it. That means it’s going to be abundant,” she stated.
The theme of this weekend’s occasion is ‘restoring our roots.’
After sickness and loss of life hit their communities arduous throughout the pandemic – the Nisga’a folks knew that bringing again tradition and custom needed to be a precedence, in line with a consultant.
“It’s not just the celebration itself, it’s creating unity and showing us together that we are one family. Our doors are open… wide open, to welcome people to our house,” stated Niis Miou (Travis Angus), Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society Board Chair.
The occasion noticed plenty of dancing and meals on Saturday as organizers stated it was therapeutic for everybody.
Around 12,000 folks attended the competition over the 2 days, organizers stated.
— with recordsdata from Michael Newman
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