Latest news with #Hoobiyee
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
From the sidelines to the spotlight
I've been attending the vibrant and deeply cultural celebration of Hoobiyee (Nisga'a New Year) for nearly 20 years. But this year marked a special milestone — it was the first time I stepped out of the audience and into the spotlight as a performer. After years of watching others take part, I finally decided it was time. Not only was I eager to learn, but this experience felt long overdue. What gave me the final push to just 'do it' (as Arnie would say) and face my fears was the inspiration and support I received from my family. My grandson Ashton and daughter-in-law Audrey were both active in the dance practices leading up to Hoobiyee, and my son Clinton, offering his moral support, plans to get more involved in the years to come. Their enthusiasm reminded me that it's never too late to participate in the traditions that shape us. There's a deep sense of pride and joy that comes with being part of something so meaningful. I now find myself wondering what took me so long to get more involved. From creating my own regalia, to taking part in the Grand Entry, it was an incredible honour. This experience has set me on a new path — attending regular Monday night dance practices and eventually performing at the Aboriginal Friendship Centre on East Hastings Street. I'm excited for all that's to come. Hoobiyee is an annual celebration marking the Nisga'a New Year every February or March. Rooted in the traditional observation of the first crescent moon and the changing seasons, it's a time of renewal, abundance and community gathering. While I won't go into the full history here (there's so much richness to explore), I encourage you to find out for yourselves and maybe even attend one day. It is truly something special. In Vancouver, the 2025 Hoobiyee took place Feb. 28 and March 1 at the PNE Forum. Yvonne Mark (Nisga'a-Gitxsan) is a Megaphone vendor and member of The Shift peer newsroom. She has taken part in many creative writing and journalism workshops through Megaphone, and was featured in the 2021 Voices of the Street podcast. She is an outspoken advocate for the Downtown Eastside. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Celebrating the start of Hoobiyee, the Nisga'a new year
The annual celebration of Hoobiyee, the Nisga'a new year, gets underway Friday and Saturday at the PNE forum in Vancouver. The CBC's Santana Dreaver went to learn more.
CBC
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Celebrating the start of Hoobiyee — the Nisga'a new year
Friday marks the start of the Nisga'a new year, known as Hoobiyee. The day is set to be celebrated at the PNE with dancing, crafts and food. Sisters Marissa and Amanda Nahanee from the Squamish and Nisga'a nations are emceeing and performing at the event.
CBC
28-02-2025
- General
- CBC
Dance group makes emotional return to Hoobiyee as Nisga'a new year celebration begins
It's been a difficult past six years for members of the Gitsegukla Gidahmes song and dance group since their last appearance at Hoobiyee celebrations in Vancouver. The group, revered at Hoobiyee for their loud and energetic performances, hails from the Gitsegukla First Nation community of about 500 people. The First Nation, about 180 kilometres northeast of Prince Rupert, B.C., has lost eight elders over the past six years. Each loss in the community, particularly when it's children or elders, is felt hard. "It took us a couple years to really get back to our old selves again" said Lyle Russell, one of the group's leaders. One of those who died was Vernon Milton, the president of the group, who was also the father of group member Darrell Milton. "It gets challenging at times but we pushed through. We make the best of it," Darrell said. Despite this challenge, the group has returned to Vancouver to honour the spirit of their ancestors. At this year's Hoobiyee — which marks the start of the Nisga'a new year — the Gitsegukla Gidahmes will hold photos of those elders who died during their performance and in the grand entry, in what are expected to be emotional moments for the group. Dancing for their ancestors The Gitesegukla Gidahmes Dancers Song & Dance Group are known for being one of the loudest groups to perform at Hoobiyee in Vancouver. Milton says that the group's energy comes from the ancestors who came before them. "It's just like another performance for us, but when we're on the floor, the energy comes from our fore fathers and all our elders that left us behind. This motivates us to sing loud." "For me it's really performing for our ancestors. I feel like that's where we get most of our energy" Russell. Tradition of Hoobiyee Hoobiyee marks the start of the Nisga'a new year with the arrival of the last crescent moon in February, and the return of the harvest, said Denise Doolan, the director of the Nisga'a Ts'amiks Dance group, based in Vancouver. February and March, when Hoobiyee is celebrated, are known to be the coldest months of the year in the Nass Valley, Nisga'a territory. But soon after, local food sources such as the oolichan fish return to be harvested. While Hoobiyee is a Nisga'a tradition, Indigenous peoples from different nations around the province are also invited to participate in the performances, and non-Indigenous people are also welcome to attend. This year's gathering runs Feb. 28-March 1. Russell says that "Hoobiyee is meant for everybody. If you want to be emotionally and spiritually healed, the power of the drums is something. It really does hit your soul to hear those drum beats." Gitsgeukla Gidahmes will perform in Vancouver alongside 16 other dance groups, Milton said. The group will be performing during grand entry and at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28. Culture away from home The original Hoobiyee takes place in the Nass Valley, approximately 1,500 kilometers north of Vancouver. But with so many Indigenous peoples living in urban areas, celebrations like Hooybiee in Vancouver are a way for Indigenous people to practice culture outside of their home territories. "A lot of our Nisga'a members in the lower mainland couldn't … travel the 1,500 kilometers home for the Hoobiyee celebration up there," said Doolan, explaining why Hoobiyee in Vancouver was created in the late 90s. With approximately 1,500 to 2,000 Nisag'a members living in the lower mainland, Hooyibee in Vancouver has become a solution to the financial barriers that come with travelling to the Nass valley. The celebration outgrew its original venue at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and is now held at the PNE Forum. Jade Doolan, manager of the Nisga'a Ts'amiks Dance group, says he hopes that one day it will move to an even larger venue like BC Place in downtown Vancouver. "[We] extend the invitation for everybody to come, including yourself. Come see what we're about. Come be a part of it. Come see what the culture is about. Yourself, your bosses, your coworkers, the general public. We want everybody to be there," he said. "Come see who we are."
