Canadian Heritage committee  I think at this time there's information that is beginning to surface. Up until this point I don't feel that I have had the opportunity to receive a lot of information leading up to the celebrations or how an arts company such as ourselves could be more involved. Certainly what

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, I believe the continued development of the program is essential to be able to best serve artists, especially because of their diversity. As well, the experience of the Dancers of Damelahamid is certainly that our success has been because of the program officers we have worke

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, I think there are two answers to that question. Fundamentally, what I see when we do our workshops, especially with young people, is that there's a very open response. They respond with whatever feelings they've evoked in the moment. There are no preconceived ideas as to wha

Canadian Heritage committee  For the most part, the work that's done by dancers on the west coast is still very much an intergenerational practice and one that has really strong ties to community. It's not only something where you're exposed to traditional knowledge from elders and knowledge keepers. It's so

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, that's correct.

Canadian Heritage committee  I can speak in terms of my experience. Our dance company in many ways goes back several decades. Back in the 1960s, when the work began with my parents and my grandmother, there was a really strong focus to revitalize practices within our communities. I have seen within the pas

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you. [Witness speaks in her native language] First, I'd like to acknowledge the ancestral land of the Algonquin Nation, and I thank them for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Gitxsan Nation. Second, I acknowledge this committee and thank them for the opportunit