My cousin, Carol Thomas, and her Granddaughter are both Dancers for ‘Esquimalt Nations’, our West Coast Salish Tribe of Victoria, located in Esquimalt. They are both shown here in traditional dance wear, in front of our long house where so many traditional events have taken place. This image is a painting that reflects our pride, dignity and honor.

While in the past many Native people were closed off to growth or change of any kind, we as a Nation are starting to realize that culture is not enough. Dance, the arts, and music provide our youth with the knowledge to go further and expand their minds by opening the doors to other nationalities, so that they can benefit from us, and we from them. This type of uniting will no doubt bring many gifts and infinite possibilities to our Native peoples, and to those of us who are seeking strength through Native customs.