Parliament Video: Jenny in the House: Hobiyee Celebration

On February 6, 2017, Jenny stood to speak of Hobiyee:

Jenny Kwan (NDP) Vancouver East, BC

"Madam Speaker, February marks the beginning of the Nisga'a nation's new year. The Nisga'a Ts'amiks Vancouver Society hosted the Hobiyee festival at the PNE in Vancouver East in celebration of the waxing crescent moon this weekend. Hobiyee is celebrated wherever Nisga'a people live.

Over 650 performers from eight large first nations dance groups came to celebrate the strength, beauty, and diversity of indigenous cultures. It was a magnificent sight to behold: to feel the beat of the drums, to see the silhouettes of the dancers, and to listen to the power of the traditional songs. Hobiyee in Vancouver allows aboriginal peoples living in a concrete jungle to connect with their culture and traditions. Chief Joe Gosnell opened the festival.

The Nisga'a people's journey to reclaim their right to self-govern exemplifies the first people's resilience. As we celebrate our nation's 150th birthday, would it not be something if Parliament also adopted Bill C-262, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples act?

New beginnings, Hobiyee."

 

https://openparliament.ca/debates/2017/2/6/jenny-kwan-1/

Latest posts

CPAC VIDEO: NDP, labour presser call on Liberals to abolish closed work permits

NDP MPs Make Announcement on Migrant Workers in Canada – November 7, 2024

At a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Jenny Kwan, the NDP critic for immigration, refugees and citizenship, and Matthew Green, the NDP critic for labour, discuss their party’s plan aimed at ending the exploitation of migrant workers in Canada. They are joined by Elizabeth Kwan (Canadian Labour Congress) and Derek Johnstone (United Food and Commercial Workers). (no interpretation)

Are you ready to take action?

Constituent Resources
Mobile Offices
Contact Jenny

Sign up for updates