Changing Oceans

Changing Oceans

Saturday, August 3 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Elder Barb Whyte (Billy) at the Community Hall

Pentlatch knowledge keeper, Elder Barb Whyte (Billy) is the daughter of a fisherwoman who fished off the shores of Hornby Island. Elder Barb has grown up learning about the ocean and watching it change. An expert in traditional plant medicine, Elder Barb shares her in-depth knowledge of our changing ocean in this newly prepared presentation. Come join in!

PHOTO: Don Peterson 

Indigenous Programming at the 2024 Hornby Festival

The Hornby Festival does all its Indigenous programming under the cultural direction of a Coast Salish Indigenous Elder. We are so grateful for the ongoing support, guidance, cultural education and care put into this programming by Coast Salish, Pentlatch Knowledge Keeper and member of the K’ómoks Nation, Elder Barb Whyte (Billy). Any profits made through our indigenous programming goes into the Elder Barb Fund for future cultural activities for education for change.

This year, we are excited to present Hwiemtun as our 2024 Hornby Festival Indigenous artist. Hwiemtun is from the unceded traditional territory of the Quw’utsun’ people on Vancouver Island. Born and raised in Khowutzun (the “Warm Land”) by a Coast Salish mother, Hwiemtun received many teachings of his Coast Salish culture. Through spending many years with elders of his territory, Hwiemtun learned the cultural and spiritual traditions of his ancestors.

During the last 30 years, Hwiemtun has journeyed around the world to explore and share ways of being with elders and healers of many Indigenous tribes. Hwiemtun’s connection to the spirit world, passion for story-telling, and love of sharing diverse traditions of indigenous knowledge has made it possible for him to bridge many worlds. Through sharing the gifts of oral history, music and ceremony, Hwiemtun has become an intercultural teacher and guide, nurturing transformation among many.

Hwiemtun believes that we are all related in one way or another and this helps in achieving knowledge once we learn this clearly. Hwiemtun conducts presentations, workshops and ceremonies on a regular basis to promote understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing.