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Ventures with Indigenous and Celtic Communities of Canada - Experience Authentic Native and Celtic Cultures

Photographer Kiliii Yüyan of our site immerses himself in the indigenous and Celtic communities along Canada's eastern coast, uncovering the rich depths of their tranquil environments.

Exploring ancestral customs - Journeying with Indigenous and Celtic Canadians
Exploring ancestral customs - Journeying with Indigenous and Celtic Canadians

Ventures with Indigenous and Celtic Communities of Canada - Experience Authentic Native and Celtic Cultures

In the heart of Canada's premier destination for cultural and nature-based tourism, Fogo Island off the coast of northeast Newfoundland, an intriguing encounter is unfolding. Kiliii Yu Yan, an artist of Chinese-American and Siberian Native Nanai/Hèzhé heritage, is visiting the island and immersing himself in the Hoop Dance tradition.

Kiliii finds the hoop dance deeply emotional, a reclamation of pride and dignity. This dance form, practiced by Indigenous peoples across Canada and the United States, holds a special place in his heart. The hoop dance, he believes, represents the circle of life and is used in healing practices by many tribes.

Accompanying Kiliii is Richard Pellissier-Lush, a Mi'kmaw actor and artist, whose presence underscores the deep roots of the Mi'kmaq people in these lands, where they have lived for thousands of years.

The indigenous artist group that leads the Hoopdance tradition on Lennox Island, a Mi'kmaq reserve, is not mentioned in the search results. However, Kiliii's adoption of this dance form is a testament to the tradition's universal appeal and its ability to bridge cultures.

On Lennox Island, Kiliii is performing a hoop dance, his movements flowing in harmony with the rhythm of the dance. The dance, he reflects, is a reminder of the land's enduring presence and its lessons. The land, he believes, never forgets and is always there to teach.

Fogo Islanders, known for their deep connection to the fish, the weather, and the place they live, have managed to survive the hardships of the past. Many small fishing communities in Newfoundland and Labrador were devastated by the cod fishing moratorium in 1992, but Fogo Island adapted and has thrived.

Shorefast, a community-led charity, plays a crucial role in helping Fogo Island hold onto its traditions by making them relevant in the present. Traditional boat building methods are being repurposed on Fogo Island to build designer furniture, a testament to the island's rich heritage and its innovative spirit.

Keith Payne, a local Elder with a deep connection to the land and its traditions, is a living embodiment of Fogo Island's resilience and its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. His wisdom and stories add depth to Kiliii's journey, providing a unique insight into the heart and soul of Fogo Island.

As Kiliii spends extended periods among Indigenous communities, he observes a recurring theme in his travels: the connection to nature, to the land, and to the ocean. This connection, he believes, is essential to understanding the heartbeat of these communities and their traditions.

In the end, Kiliii's visit to Fogo Island is not just about dance or tradition. It's about connection, about bridging cultures, and about learning from the past to shape the future. It's about the circle of life, and the lessons it holds for us all.

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