Nisga'a Nation kicks off Hoobiyee celebration to mark new year - Action News
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British Columbia

Nisga'a Nation kicks off Hoobiyee celebration to mark new year

Friday marks the start of the Nisga'a new year, with celebration in Laxgalts'ap Village in the Nass Valley this weekend and in Vancouver on March 3 and 4.

Nisga'a Ts'amiks Vancouver Society will hold celebration at PNE Forum on March 3 and 4

A group of people in Indigenous clothing are holding drums in front of a building and behind a laid-down totem pole.
Laxgalts'ap Village of Nisga'a Nation kicked off the Hoobiyee festivities on the morning of Friday Feb. 24with the raising of a totem pole. (Melissa Mckay)

The Nisga'a Nation kicks off Hoobiyee celebrations to mark its new year onFriday.

Hoobiyeeis whenthe Nisga'a Nation marks a new season of harvest beginning with the arrival of saak, a breed of oolichan fish that is a staple of the traditionalNisga'a diet.

Laxgalts'ap Village is hosting this year's celebrations in theNass Valley, about 80kilometres northwest of Terrace, B.C. Over the years, Laxgalts'ap and three other Nisga'a villages including New Aiyansh, Gitwinkshihlkw and Gingolx have been on rotation to host the annual celebration.

Laxgalts'ap Village kicked off the festivities Friday morningwith a totem pole raising.

WATCH | Nisga'a members celebrate Hoobiyee:

Chief Coun. Donald Leeson of Laxgalts'apVillage government said he's been attending Hoobiyee for 18 years and plans to mark this celebration with something new: dancing.

"I didn't dance because I felt kind of awkward," Leeson said. "And today I'm confident, I feel really good about getting on the floor now and dancing."

'Keep our language and culture alive'

The nation says Nisga'a villages and neighbouring nations will continue to celebrate with songs and dances on Saturday.

On March 3 and 4, the Nisga'a Ts'amiks Vancouver Society is set to hold Hoobiyee celebration at PNE Forum in eastern Vancouver, which is a free-admission event.

Nisga'a Nation president Eva Clayton says Hoobiyeecelebrations are critical in keeping the Nisga'a culture vibrant and strong.

"As we enter a new season of harvest, it is imperative we continue to make every effort to keep our language and culture alive," she said in a written statement.

People in Indigenous clothing stand under an erected totem pole that stands in front of a building.
A totem pole is raised in front of the Nisga'a Museum in Laxgalts'ap, B.C. (Nisga'a Museum/Facebook)

With files from Daybreak North