June 20, 2012

Salmon People at Fort Langley

In honour of National Aboriginal Day, which falls on June 21st, Fort Langley National Historic Site has planned numerous exciting events running all day on Saturday, June 23rd from 10 am until 5 pm. There will be dancing, drumming, feasting on bannock and salmon, and the opening of the Salmon People exhibit. This exhibit, which some of you may remember as our 2011 temporary exhibit, has travelled, and will be on display at Fort Langley’s Big House until December 2012.

SALMON PEOPLE EXHIBIT

Salmon People examines the fishing history of the Coast Salish people. Long before canneries were established, they fished the banks of the Fraser River and Georgia Straits.

Uncover the significance of fish and fishing to Coast Salish culture, from past to present, in this new exhibit opening at Fort Langley National Historic Site on Saturday, June 23 at 11:00 am. The story will be told through images, text and artifacts.

The Coast Salish fished for many different types of fish in addition to salmon: eulachon, sturgeon, herring, trout and cod. Discover how these were used in trade and how they fit into the mythology of the people.

The exhibit runs from June 23 through December 2012.

Fort Langley was established in 1827 as part of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s network of forts to trade with the First Nations of the West Coast. The site was a transshipment depot for local resources and European goods. Fort Langley began the West Coast fish-packing industry with salmon provided by local First Nations.

For more information on the events taking place at Fort Langley for National Aboriginal Day, please refer to their website. Join the staff and members of the Cannery for the opening of the Salmon People exhibit taking place at 11 am in the Big House.

If you have visited the Cannery recently, present your admission receipt to the Visitors Center at the Fort and you will receive 50% off their admission fees. Members of the Cannery Society also receive a 50% discount on their entry to the Fort.

Posted by websitedev
  •   Share
  •   Tweet