First Nations Events and Classes Photo Gallery:

Some photos of classes, wellness shows, ceremonies, sweat lodges, and other noteworthy events. Click on the links (in red) to read more about each person or group.

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Jen visits the Nk'Mip (In-ka-meep) Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, BC, helps with the apple harvest in Cawston, samples a deconstructed "Indian Taco" (bannock and chili with the fixins) at the Similkameen Hot Pepper Festival, and collects "Grandmothers" from the Similkameen River in Keremeos, BC (the grandmothers are heading for Gordon's new sweat lodge on Sunshine Coast), Sept 15-19, 2011.

Jen teaches a Native American Drum making workshop in Vancouver, Aug 18, 2011.

Jen with Sandra LaFramboise (Dancing to Eagle Spirit) and Vince Reckzin, who were both highlighted in CTV First Story: Two Spirits & Let's Hear It, a snapshot of the "two-spirit" world, which includes Aboriginal LGBTQ people and their role(s) in First Nations culture. At right is a photo of Waawaate Fobister in his award-winning play AGOKWE, also highlighted in the CTV special. [click here for more photos of AGOKWE by David Hawe] [click here to watch the CTV special]

Klisala Harrison gives a guest lecture on Aboriginal Music in Canadian Cities to second year students at UBC, Vancouver, March 23, 2010, as part of the UBC-Ritsumeikan joint exchange program. Jen then led two tutorials on how aboriginal drums are made and played. Students got to handle the natural materials drums are made of (elk, cedar, and deer), and try drumming for themselves.

Jen chaperones a second year UBC class to the newly renovated and highly interactive Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Mar 4, 2010, as part of the UBC-Ritsumeikan joint exchange program. Among the artifacts was a lovely carving of Thunderbird and Whale (bottom right), the legend of which they learned from Coll Thrush January 28, 2010 (see below).

First Nations pavillions at the Vancouver Winter Olympics Feb 2010. Top left: The Four Host Nations Pavillion (Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh). Top Centre and right: Musqueam artist Susan Point and Coast Salish artists carve a totem pole. Bottom row: art, dancers, and drummers at the Kla-how-ya Aboriginal Village at Canada Place.

Coll Thrush gives a guest lecture on Aboriginal History to second year students at UBC, Vancouver, January 28, 2010, as part of the UBC-Ritsumeikan joint exchange program.

Jen goes to Keremeos to visit and smoke the Pipe with her adpoted mom Karen Sherbina (Bear Eagle Woman), then feasts with her adopted uncle and aunt, Frank and Angela Supernault, and attends a Pow Wow where Frank's son Lenny performs the Fancy Dance (bottom right image). Aug 19-23, 2009.

Jen attends a "monumental" Peace Circle at Jericho Beach, Vancouver, BC, Feb 19, 2009. Holding the four directions were local Native Elder Leonard Howell (in green jacket, with Jen above), Sufi leader As-Sayed Nurjan Mirahmadi (in green turban above), Peace Troubadour James Twyman (in sunglasses, beside As-Sayed Nurjan Mirahmadi), and Minister of Agape Centre Michael Beckwith (with long hair). The WarriorSage Satyen Raja was also an invited speaker (speaking into the microphone above).

Lloyd's transfer of rites ceremony in North Vancouver, BC, September 20, 2008. Lloyd (in light blue) gained the status of "Elder", which entails the right to lead ceremony, as approved by Cree Elder Frank Supernault (in blue and brown checks) and Algonquin-Cree Elder Sandra LaFramboise (being robed with a red blanket above). The transfer of rites included speeches, a Pipe Ceremony, a give-away, and a bottomless feast. Many more photos are available at The Dancing to Eagle Spirit website

Jen does Reiki at the Squamish Elder's Esemkwu Wellness Fair Sept 17, 2008, in the Gathering House Ke'xwusmawtxw (right) on Capilano Reserve.

HolisticVancouver Monthly Healing Circle. Sept 4, 2008. Topic: Native Medicines. We did a smudge ceremony, sang to bless the 6 directions, and learned about the four sacred medicines (sage, sweetgrass, tobacco, cedar).

Native American Drum making workshop with Sandra LaFramboise (Dancing to Eagle Spirit) and Jen (Spotted Firefly) in Vancouver. Aug 31, 2008. To take the workshop with Sandra and Jen, click here.

Jen visits the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, and learns a lot about the history of Native Culture in Vancouver. Aug 24, 2008. The museum was soon after closed for renovations but is now open again.

Jen visits the Nk'Mip (In-ka-meep) Cultural Centre in Osoyoos, BC, July 25, 2008. After viewing two wonderful presentations, Jen attracts some orbs by the fire, and samples some traditional Native fare, like grilled bison, venison sausages, smoked seafood, and local apples.

Jen is invited on a private tour of the Squamish-Lil'Wat Cultural Centre in Whistler Aug 9, 2008, the day before the official opening, watches a high quality film explaining the origins of the Centre, and gets a sneak peak of the drumming and singing being rehearsed for the opening ceremonies of the Centre the next day (no photos allowed, too bad).

Rattle Workshop with Sandra LaFramboise (Dancing to Eagle Spirit) in North Vancouver. Mar 17, 2008. To take the workshop with Sandra and Jen, click here.

Native American Drum making workshop with Sandra LaFramboise (Dancing to Eagle Spirit) and Jen (Spotted Firefly) in Vancouver. Jan 6, 2008. To take the workshop with Sandra and Jen, click here.

Jen with local Cree Elder Frank Supernault and his wife Angela at a Pipe Ceremony, New Year's Day in Yale, 2008.

Jen and the CRA doing Reiki at the 31st Annual BC Elder's Gathering hosted by the Squamish Nation at Canada Place Aug 9, 2007. Thousands of Native Elders from came from all over BC to attend. [related article]

Jen (Spotted Firefly) as Firekeeper at the Rainbow Sweat Lodge in Maple Ridge with Water Pourer Karen Sherbina (Bear Eagle Woman). June 8, 2007.

Native American Drum making workshop with Sandra LaFramboise (Dancing to Eagle Spirit) and Michael Anhorn in Vancouver, BC, Jan 28, 2007. To take the workshop with Sandra and Jen (Spotted Firefly), click here.

Jen (Spotted Firefly) assists Karen (Bear Eagle Woman) in a Pipe Ceremony finalizing Patricia's spiritual adoption of two sisters January 21, 2007, in Burnaby. (1) Jen prepares the smudge (2) Karen smokes while Patricia looks on (3) Jen, Karen, and the three new sisters (4) the giveaway.

The HolisticVancouver Monthly Healing Circle. January 4, 2007. Topic: Native Wisdom. We made dreamcatchers, sang a prayer to the 6 directions, explored the uses of various native medicines, learned about the medicine wheel and other native traditions.