Greetings Elders, friends, and relatives!

We are excited to welcome everyone to our beautiful Cowichan Tribes territory. An important feature of the gathering is the Elders Grand Entry.
There will be volunteers carrying large visible signs organized in sequence with the Regional Health Authority boundary names – NORTH, INTERIOR, FRASER, VANCOUVER COASTAL, and VANCOUVER ISLAND. Please organize your respective Elders/First Nation according to the health authority boundaries.

GETTING READY

• The Elders Grand Entry will start at 9:00 am on July 10 and will take place at the Island Savings Centre Arena. We are aiming to conclude the Elders Grand Entry by 11:00 am.
• There will be an official announcement at 7:45 am for all Elders and First Nation communities to start preparing for the Elders Grand Entry, and a reminder announced every 15 minutes leading up to the 9:00 am start.
• There will be 2 dressing rooms available inside the arena located on the northeast side of the arena. Female Elders can use Dressing Room # 4 and Male Elders can use Dressing Room # 5.
• The Elders Grand Entry will start outside the arena doors at the northwest side of the arena. All Elders will proceed inside the arena in a counter-clockwise direction, and exit through the doors on the northeast side.
• Once exited all Elders can gather back inside the arena through the east entrance or back through the northwest doors.
• Please see the facility map for an outline of the Elders Grand Entry procession, and the arena/door locations.

GRAND ENTRY

• The King and Queen – Ed and Juanita Elliott, will be in the lead of the Elders Grand Entry and led by a circle of Cowichan Singers, and ushered by the RCMP Red Serge.
  • All Cowichan Tribes Elders will follow directly behind King Ed Elliott and Queen Juanita Elliott.
• Each First Nation will enter the arena in the following order:
  • NORTH – 1st
  • INTERIOR – 2nd
  • FRASER – 3rd
  • VANCOUVER COASTAL – 4th
  • VANCOUVER ISLAND – 5th
• Each First Nation is welcomed to start singing a ceremonial song once they have reached the cedar arch into the arena.
  • Once in the arena each First Nation has 2 ½ minutes to complete a ceremonial song.
  • The procession must keep moving through the arena, and be mindful and respectful of all the Elders and communities that are participating.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• The Opening Prayer and Cultural/Welcoming Formalities will start directly after the Elders Grand Entry at approximately 11:00 am.
• The Masters of Ceremony (MCs) will be Ron George, Charlie George, JJ Allen, and Stuart Pagaduan. The MCs will be providing overall direction for the Elders Grand Entry.
  • Derek Thompson and Audrey George will be the Floor and Stage Managers for the Elders Grand Entry.
• Taking the summer weather into consideration we want to be mindful of all of the Elder’s health and wellness, and so it is important that everyone keep active and moving, drink plenty of water, and to ask for help if needed.
  • During the Elders Grand Entry there will be Registered Nurses and St. John’s Ambulance workers positioned inside and outside the arena, as well as water stations, portable toilets, and numerous volunteers.
• Once the Elders Grand Entry has concluded all Elders and participants are encouraged to be promptly seated back inside the arena in order to commence welcoming ceremonies.