Aboriginal Cultural Festival

Paddlers of One Canoe

When I rode the bus into Victoria from Sooke, I had no idea it was Aboriginal Cultural Day in British Columbia, Maybe all of Canada.
Here in Victoria, several canoes of First Nations from Vancouver Island paddled into the harbour and then had a drum and faux paddling procession across the street to the Royal British Columbia Museum where the festivities were held.

Procession from Harbour

Procession Continues

Welcoming Song

I am most familiar with the Plains Natives. It was very interesting to see the differences in the dances and drumming.

Kwakwaka’wakw Nation Legend Dance

Forest Monster

I was interested in seeing the Le-La-La Dancers. My grandson Alan named me LaLa and that is what I have Bazil call me. I was really delighted to learn their name means Traveling from Here to There. How appropriate that I share that name!

Le-La-La Dancers Traveling from Here to There

The father of the little boy in the following photo was in another dance group. I was so enamored by this tot in a traditional costume just his like his father's that I failed to take any pictures of the dancers. I think his mother was the troop's official photographer. I was not able to catch up with her to chat after the performance.

Learning Tradition Young

Learning Technology Young

The week after the festival, I returned to the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Totem Park at the Museum

This is a spectacular museum! The layout is so unusual you feel that you are traveling miles through paths. levels, and corners. Everything is tasteful and authentic. They have a curated it with an excellent combination of interaction, artistic display, and written information

Royal British Columbia Museum

Totems

Totems 2

Weaving

Pattern Template Used for the Weaving

Petroglyphs in the Background

Everything Beautiful and Authentic

Dance Headdresses

The local First Nation is T'Sou-ke. Hence, the English word Sooke for the town, harbour, etc.
I find it quite interesting that there is a Pueblo tribe in New Mexico spelled Tesuque. When I research on line, I can't seem to find any reference that links the two clans regardless of the similar pronunciation. Of course, the spelling is entirely based on European languages. Tesuque and similar languages seems to be just a pocket in the area of New Mexico. Of course there is speculation that both tribes have Mongolian roots.
There was a wonderful (and somewhat overwhelming) exhibit of First Nations' languages at the museum. There are 34 distinct Native languages in British Columbia - perhaps more than in any other similar sized area in the world. Maybe, I will try to locate the local T'Sou-ke administration offices to see if anyone there has more information on any relationship.
Further research helped me discover that Tesuque is a Hispanicization of the Tewa word tecuge.