Greetings from the
Musqueam Indian Band
ʔa: si:y̓ém̓ nə siyéy̓ə
Friends and relatives
ʔəm̓i ce:p kʷətxʷiləm ʔi ʔə tə n̓a šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaʔɬ təməxʷ, tə šxʷʔam̓əts tə shən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓qən
Welcome to the ancestral territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking Musqueam people
ʔiʔ ƛ̓əw tə šxʷʔaləqʷaʔ ct tə sqʷχʷaməx ʔiʔ tə səl̕ilwətaʔɬ məsteyəxʷ
Along with our relatives Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh
Musqueam has used storytelling as a way to share our teachings for thousands of years — it is an intrinsic part of who we are as Indigenous people. We are also innovators, continually adapting and utilizing new technologies to build upon ancestral knowledge that has sustained us for millennia.
Through film and other media, Indigenous peoples are finding new ways to share our stories, experiences, struggles and successes. Film provides an essential platform to amplify Indigenous voices — voices that have been silenced for far too long — and helps to ensure that new generations of Indigenous filmmakers will be inspired to continue creatively telling these important stories.
Musqueam acknowledges that the Vancouver International Film Festival works hard to bring diverse local, national and international stories to our beautiful territory, while also featuring many Indigenous films during the festival and all year round.
We look forward to continuing to build our relationship with VIFF and inspiring new Musqueam filmmakers.
Chief Wayne Sparrow (yəχʷyaχʷələq)
Greetings from the
Squamish Nation
Ta newyáp Síiy̓am̓ Ta newyáp síiyay̓
To all our Friends, to all our Respected Leaders.
Stl’i7 chet wa kw’enmantúmiyap kwis na tl’iḵ I tti na7 ta temíxwcht
We want to thank you all and welcome you all to our land.
Nilh ta s7ulh temíxw tta Sḵwx̱wú7meshulh
Úxwmixw iy tta Xwmets’kwiy̓emulh Úxwmixw iy
tta Selílwetulh Úxwumixw
This is the land of our Squamish People, and the Musqueam People, and Tsleil-Waututh People.
This is the land of our Squamish People, and the Musqueam People, and Tsleil-Waututh People.
For many generations, Squamish People have created a culture of oral literature to teach our history, values, and advice to the next generation. Our storytelling traditions are how we inspire ourselves and our children to be a good person, to treat family, land, and water with respect, and work together as a people. We celebrate all storytelling traditions, including new ways of telling stories through film and cinema.
Squamish Nation recognizes the Vancouver International Film Festival’s work to bring diverse local, national, and inter-national stories to our beautiful territory, while also featuring Indigenous films during the festival and all year round.
Congratulations, VIFF, on your 44th festival!
Syex̱wáliya, Ann Whonnock
Spokesperson & Councilor
Greetings from the
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
ʔo: si:y̓ém̓ nə siyéy̓ə,
Friends and Relatives,
ʔəm̓i ce:p kʷətxʷiləm ʔə tə təməxʷ wə c̓ɬwet ʔə tə məsteyəxʷ tən̓I ƛ̓ xʷməθkʷəy̓əm ʔiʔ sqx̌ʷam̓əx ʔiʔ səl̕ilwətaʔɬ
Welcome to the shared territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Storytelling is an important tradition in our səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) culture, as it weaves together our history, current aspirations, and the enduring connections we have to our lands and waters as People of the Inlet. Film is a particularly powerful platform that conveys stories that are meaningful to us, giving space for often marginalized voices to be amplified and celebrated.
Tsleil-Waututh filmmakers have represented our community in VIFF programming, showcasing our hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language, ancestral teachings, values, and pride in our culture. Through this inclusion, the festival has brought these, and other Indigenous stories, to a wide audience, connecting us in common understanding and providing a balm for our hearts.
I raise my hands in gratitude towards VIFF staff for their ongoing commitment to working in partnership with our Nation. Congratulations on launching your 44th season!
hay čxʷ q̓ə,
thank you all,
Chief Justin Sky George