The Xeni Gwet’in First Nation hosted a youth gathering at Fish Lake (Teztan Biny) on Aug. 25 and 26.
Activities included drumming, sweats, horse-shoe throwing, fishing, raft making, a talent show, a lahal tournament and underground cooking.
Talent show winners were Theresa Bob, Buckles and Bucky John for adult, and Tamara William and Peyal Laceese for youth. Horse-shoe throwing competition winners were William Myers and Dennis Lulua. Placing first in the lahal tournament was the Ts’il?os team of Roger William and Dennis Lulua.
Coming second was the Xeni Gwet’in Youth Choices team.
The event was held at the site of the proposed New Prosperity copper-gold mine. Besides children of all ages, special guests included lawyers Jay Nelson and Tony Pierre, a ten-member delegation from Stl’atl’imc First Nation near Lillooet, Alberni/Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser, Saanich South MLA Lana Popham, Cariboo Chilcotin NDP candidate Charlie Wyse, Friends of Nemaiah Valley president David Williams, and motivational speaker Terrance Richmond.
Former Fountain Band Chief Daryll Bob told the gathering that the Xeni Gwet’in fight to control the resource development in their land and territory is the fight of the Stl’atl’imc people as well.