Kla-how-ya: An Aboriginal Showcase for 2010 at the Pan Pacific Hotel

Kla-how-ya! The Pan Pacific Hotel at Canada Place is hosting a free 16-day showcase of Aboriginal art, performances and culture during the 2010 Winter Games.  This is sponsored by Aboriginal Tourism, and shares the rich and unique culture of the Four Host First Nations of British Columbia.  The showcase will feature traditional dancing, cedar bark weaving, Aboriginal fashions, jewellery making, carving and storytelling.

One of the most outstanding exhibits is the Ravensong canoe, carved by Tsimshian master carver Bill Helin ( in Tsimshian, We LaaxumYout)  from Prince Rupert.  He’s also the carver of the world’s tallest totem pole, in 1993.

Ravensong , in Tsimshian “Gaak Lamae”, took four months to carve with the help of friends from six different non-aboriginal nations.

The Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC includes more than 200 First Nations, including Inuit and Metis.  Discover the living history of the Aboriginal people and culture and learn more about them by visiting the Four Host First Nations Aboriginal Pavilion at Georgia and Hamilton Street.

PAN PACIFIC HOTEL is located near the Waterfront skytrain and Canada Line station, next to the Canada Place Convention Centre.

PHOTOS by W. Ruth Kozak