The first day Rose Williams arrived at the Stawamus Reserve, the elders spotted her as though they had the keen eyes of ravens.
"What's your name?" they asked her as she walked down the road.
"Reimer," she said at the time.
"I don't know a Reimer," the elders replied. "Who's your mother and grandparents."
Williams grew up in Kitchener, Ont., with her Skwxwu7mesh Uxwumixw (Squamish Nation) mother and German father. It wasn't until her parents separated and Williams moved back to Squamish that she truly started to understand the importance of one's family history. Through the elders, Williams heard tales of her mother and grandparents. Her heritage unravelled before her.
Knowing who you are and where you are from plays a big part in grounding you, Williams said.
"A lot of people don't have that, and they get lost," she said.
On Friday (June 21), the Squamish Nation is hosting canoe races and activities as a part of National Aboriginal Day. The celebration is not only a day to reflect on the Squamish Nation's history, but also commemorates the community's achievements, Williams said.
"For me personally, it is actually a real nice day to celebrate indigenous accomplishments," she said. "A lot of non-status people don't understand the trauma we have gone through."
Friday marks the Nation's ninth annual canoe race celebration in honour of Aboriginal Day. The races run from noon to 3 p.m. A lunch will be served at the Stawamus waterfront - beside the Mamquam Blind Channel - and games, such as with Stawamus language Bingo, are slated to fill the afternoon.
The first race kicks off at around 2 p.m. The Squamish RCMP, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and conservation officers, as well as the District of Squamish will hit the water up against the Squamish Nation youth canoe racing team.
The young crew will be tough to beat, Williams said. They recently competed against the Lhaq'temish Nation in Washington State.
