Skookum Surrey Guide Groups in 2021

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Skookum Guide Groups have continued to gather and take part in community events throughout 2021. The relationships we formed in 2020 were strengthened throughout 2021.

Our community found new skookum ways to spend time together: we beaded in a few neighbourhood parks, walked some of Surrey’s beautiful trails, and visited some local farms.

“So excited haven’t beaded since I was a kid”

  • Skookum community member

Skookum Surrey beading at Bear Creek Park & Skookum community members sharing project progress

“I wanted to thank you for putting me in contact with this group. I have been trying many ways to connect with my heritage and develop my artistry. I am so happy to have gained friends and mentors, I recently was approved for an apprenticeship with Mark Anthony Jacobson. I’m really looking forward to it because it should really help with my art pursuits! “

  • Skookum community member

Bear Creek Park was a beautiful spot to bead on hot days with the sheltered tables. Hawthorne Park was perfect for family fun and beading. Holland Park was the spot for the National Truth and Reconciliation gathering. The Skookum Surrey community enjoyed Surrey parks over the spring and summer months.

Surrey community gather to honour all that were impacted by the Residential School Era.

Summertime provided perfect weather for berry picking at Krause Berry Farms. Guide Group participants were able to pick their own berries, have a waffle topped with fresh berries & cream, then cruise the market for freshly made goodies.

“It was a great time and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves”

  • Skookum community member

Skookum Surrey elder picking raspberries at Krause Farms & Fresh Krause Berry Farms waffles with blueberries and whipped cream

Skookum Guide Group members had a wonderful walk in Redwood Park with Sxwnem while talking medicinal purposes of local plants.

Sxwnem explaining traditional Coast Salish uses for local plants

Skookum Surrey spent a day exploring the UBC Museum of Anthropology together.

Skookum Surrey elder exploring the Museum of Anthropology

Skookum youth exploring the Museum of Anthropology

“Delightful day with Skookum Elders group. Great day being Indigenous Howaa,Howaa,Howaa”

  • Skookum community member

Guide Groups gathered at Crescent Beach to make ceremony dresses together. Enjoying some sewing time while taking in the scenery was quite peaceful. It created an amazing energy for us to make a ceremony dress with.

Skookum Surrey elders at Crescent Beach with ceremony dresses

Our community also enjoyed some craft fairs with our local artisans.

Skookum Surrey artists displaying their goods at the Surrey Framers Market

Now with our Skookum community connected, we plan to cultivate a city that our next generations can thrive in.

All Our Relations: Honouring the Host Nations

Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee's work takes place on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Katize, Kwantlen, and Semiahmoo First Nations. We recognize their connection to this land and acknowledge that we are newcomers to Surrey like everyone else. Our group, the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee does not represent these land-based First Nations and we are careful not to speak on their behalf. Instead, we represent urban Indigenous people that have moved here from all over BC and Canada to make Surrey their home. Our focus is making Surrey a great place for Indigenous people living in the city — regardless of where they come from, their legal status, or their particular culture heritage. As we do this, we endeavour to live in a good way with the land-based First Nations that have called this land their home since time immemorial.