Presented with:

The 2009 We yah hani nah Coastal First Nations Dance Festival has an exciting line-up of dance groups that will build on the success of 2008. There will be 12 performances on Saturday March 14 & Sunday March 15. New to 2009 there will be an Opening Gala featuring the Musqueam Warriors, the Git Hoan Dancers, and the festival organizers the, Dancers of Damelahamid at 7 PM on Thursday March 12.

At the Gala the Great Hall will be transformed by theatre style seating and lighting for the opening premier of "Visitors Who Never Left", a site specific work by the Dancers of Damelahamid. This production will create a technical theatre amongst the spectacular setting of the totem poles of the Great Hall. This signature event, which opens the We yah hani nah Festival will be part of a celebration of Indigenous cultures and dance traditions from the coastal peoples of British Columbia, and surrounding territories, giving voice to the many distinct peoples of our nations. 

‘Visitors Who Never Left’ is inspired by the book of the same title authored by Simoiget Hagbegwatku, Chief Kenneth Harris and published by UBC Press in 1972. The book is a collection of oral histories describing the origin of the people of Damelahamid. The oral histories are Adaawk, stories that belong to Chief Harris who holds the title of Hagbegwatku and have been passed down with this titled lineage since the origin of the Gitksan peoples. The work undertaken by Chief Harris and his mother, Irene Harris, was pivotal to insuring that this knowledge was not lost with their generations. This site specific work will honour the memory and legacy that was bestowed upon us by the initiatives and dedication of Irene and Ken Harris.

We ackknowldege the support of:



We yah hani nah logo design: Mike Dangeli