Led by the Laxgalts'ap Cultural Dancers, the near two hour presentation had the audience at full attention from the first sound of the drum.
The performance one that was delivered to the full appreciation of those who were assembled in the Sold Out and overflowing Russell Gamble Gymnasium.
The evening opened with the procession of the official party and invited guests lining the west side of the facility.
As the referees for the tournament and the athletes participating in it entered they were brought in by the Cultural Group who kept the drumming and singing going for close to half an hour.
By the time the last team had made its tour of the Gymnasium to their place on the Court, there was little space to be found on the floor. The teams a colourful mix of athletes with rapt attention to the words addressed to them in support of their play this coming week.
From tournament organizers and First Nation leaders the welcome opportunity to meet again was the narrative for the tournament's official presentations.
A fitting salute to the teams and their supporters as they settle in for the week ahead as well as for the spectators who make the All Native Tournament the significant event that it is.
Also included among the night's participants were Mayor Herb Pond who offered words of welcome from the City of Prince Rupert, along with Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach, who was doing double duty on the evening.
Along with his own greetings, he delivered regrets from North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice who could not attend this years event owing to duties in Victoria and the return of a totem pole to the Nuxak First Nation.
Such has been the growth for the tournament, that play had an early start on Saturday, with another slate of games making for the day long parade Sunday to the Civic Centre Arena and Gymnasium to track the play of those with the first round match ups.
The pace picked up on the court again today with the early games launching at 8AM, that as the tournament moves full speed ahead with all eyes on the path to a berth in the four Championship games of Saturday.
If you missed the Opening Ceremonies, a replay is anticipated to be made available through radio station CFNR's website.
The ANBT Facebook page also features a range of photos from the opening days of play, as do the social media pages for Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla and CFNR to name a few,
Our archive of items can be reviewed here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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