By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Vancouver, BC – Elders from First Nations across British Columbia descended on the Vancouver Convention Centre Aug. 25-26 for the 50th Annual First Nations Elders Gathering. About 2,340 participants joined this year, including a group from Saskatchewan and groups from the Yukon. On Day One, cultural hosts Líl̓wat Nation set an uplifting tone for the event with a powerful drum and dance performance that got even elders with walkers on the floor. “We are in the most powerful library with wall-to-wall elders here,” said Líl̓wat Nation Cultural Chief Ashley Joseph. During his welcome speech, longstanding Elders Gathering emcee John Henderson of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation acknowledged the First Nations communities who travelled through smoke and flames to get to Vancouver

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