Many thanks to the Oak Bay Secondary School Choir for their wonderful performance. I would like to thank you all for coming to Government House. It is our tradition at Government House to invite you here in celebration of the Christmas season and on behalf of myself and Gwen, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! Herb will now play the piano for you and the staff here at Government House will sing you a song!

It is a real pleasure to have all of you here today. I am from the Sto:lo Nation in Chilliwack and our tradition is to invite neighbours in to visit at special times to share some food. At these times we also stand and speak of our history and family connections. We also speak of our collective wisdom and understandings gathered since time began. One of these teachings is to respect your elders. In our community the older one got, the more seniority you obtained. If an elder was to stand and speak, everyone would listen. If an elder wants some food, someone would have to provide for that elder. If an elder was to correct your child, you would thank that person.

These teachings and practices grew out of years and years of collective living where the elders represented the total collection of knowledge and wisdom of the nation. In a world where nothing is written, your elders then become very important sources of information on where to gather food, how to carve a canoe, how to make medicines, how to settle a dispute, and so on.

I know that in today’s fast-paced world it seems that we do not even have time to greet and meet one another. These times at Government House become very special because it affords us all a moment to simply have tea and to socialize with one another. Thank you for coming and please enjoy the rest of your visit here at Government House.

LOCATION:1401 Rockland Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8S 1V9

PHONE:(250) 387-2080

FAX:(250) 387-2078

EMAIL:ghinfo@gov.bc.ca

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