The Reconciliation Sessions

Bob Baker

Bob Baker (Squamish Ancestral name is S7aplek, Hawaiian name is Lanakila) is co-founder and Spokesperson for Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song) the most reputable Dance Group of the Squamish Nation. Born and Raised Squamish, Bob has been exercising his Culture through Singing, Dances, and various presentations, for over 35 years . Accomplishments range from revival of Sea-going Canoes and traditions, to Cultural projects such as the 27 ft. Grandmother Welcome Figure, at Ambleside Beach Park, to dance presentations in Taiwan, Hawaii, Japan, Switzerland, (Montreaux Jazz Festival), and opening Ceremonies for Western Canada Summer games, Nation Aboriginal Hockey Championships, International U18 Lacrosse Championships, and recently, opening ceremony for the Canada Aboriginal Music Awards. To Blessing Ceremonies for B.C. Ferries, in Flensburg, Germany and the Tallships flotilla Blessing Ceremony here at English bay, Vancouver. On-going performances and projects continue through-out the Lower Mainland, Vancouver, Squamish-Whistler and Vancouver Island. In the warmer months Bob can be found training in the traditional dug-out war canoes, as well as the Great Sea-going Canoes, and as a steersman for Tribal Journeys, and the Pulling Together Journey, visiting Villages along our beautiful coasts of British Columbia and Washington State.

Eagle Song Dancers

Spakwus Slolem, (translated,”Eagle Song Dancers), are members of the Squamish Nation. Geographically located in what is called the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our traditional territory being the Howe Sound, Vancouver to Whistler area. The Squamish have lived and utilized this area for over 10,000 years, having history traced back to the Great Flood, and an Ice Age.

The Vancouver Piano Sessions is committed to raising the awareness level of Truth and Reconciliation by using its international platform.

On August 5, VPS will present a special concert at Pyatt Hall (VSO) featuring Bob Baker, an elder and residential school survivor from the Squamish Nation. He and his group, the Eagle Song Dancers (Spakwus Slolem), will share stories and perform traditional Indigenous songs and dances. The program will also feature VPS participants performing musical compositions from the Western canon that share similar themes to the songs performed by the Eagle Song Dancers. Additionally, Elder Baker will be joined by Wayne Weng for a performance of “Gathering of Eagles” (Eskaugh ta Spakwus), arranged by Weng to celebrate this occasion.

Bob Baker

Bob Baker (Squamish Ancestral name is S7aplek, Hawaiian name is Lanakila) is co-founder and Spokesperson for Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song) the most reputable Dance Group of the Squamish Nation. Born and Raised Squamish, Bob has been exercising his Culture through Singing, Dances, and various presentations, for over 35 years . Accomplishments range from revival of Sea-going Canoes and traditions, to Cultural projects such as the 27 ft. Grandmother Welcome Figure, at Ambleside Beach Park, to dance presentations in Taiwan, Hawaii, Japan, Switzerland, (Montreaux Jazz Festival), and opening Ceremonies for Western Canada Summer games, Nation Aboriginal Hockey Championships, International U18 Lacrosse Championships, and recently, opening ceremony for the Canada Aboriginal Music Awards. To Blessing Ceremonies for B.C. Ferries, in Flensburg, Germany and the Tallships flotilla Blessing Ceremony here at English bay, Vancouver. On-going performances and projects continue through-out the Lower Mainland, Vancouver, Squamish-Whistler and Vancouver Island. In the warmer months Bob can be found training in the traditional dug-out war canoes, as well as the Great Sea-going Canoes, and as a steersman for Tribal Journeys, and the Pulling Together Journey, visiting Villages along our beautiful coasts of British Columbia and Washington State.

Bob Baker

Eagle Song Dancers

Spakwus Slolem, (translated,”Eagle Song Dancers), are members of the Squamish Nation. Geographically located in what is called the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our traditional territory being the Howe Sound, Vancouver to Whistler area. The Squamish have lived and utilized this area for over 10,000 years, having history traced back to the Great Flood, and an Ice Age.
We are a Coastal people, people of the cedar longhouses, of the great sea-going canoes, the racing war canoes, People of the Salmon. Our colourful history speaks of things of legend, of deeds of certain members of the Smylaith Tribe (Sasquatch), legends of the Animal Kingdom(i.e., The Raven, Seagull and Sun), which brings out Teachings of our Squamish People, the History of Takaya, the Wolf Clan, one of our Squamish Family’s History.

VISION

The Reconciliation program envisions a world where Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities thrive together through rich cultural exchange and true interaction. We look to celebrate the differences and strengthen our similarities as people living together.

MISSION

VPS looks to celebrate the differences and strengthen the similarities of people living together. Vancouver has the third largest urban Indigenous population of any Canadian city and we feel there is a lack of opportunities which create an open dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities that interact with, learn from, and listen to each other. Through workshops and seminars led by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, we wish to enhance Vancouver’s cultural landscape and create a new generation of awareness, respect and love in our young people.

CORE VALUES

reconciliation

We are committed to creating a sincere link between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in the city of Vancouver.

Collaboration and Openness

We deeply believe in the enrichment that comes from the interaction of different cultures. Offering workshops, seminars and performances of unconventional forms of art, we want to broaden the cultural scene of Vancouver area.

Inclusivity and Visibility

We are dedicated to giving a voice to artists that, without our help, would have been marginalized and unrecognized.

Accessibility for All

Our workshops and seminars are available to everyone, regardless of financial constraints. By offering these sessions free of charge, we aim to provide the city of Vancouver with a valuable opportunity to learn without barriers.

Bob Baker

Bob Baker (Squamish Ancestral name is S7aplek, Hawaiian name is Lanakila) is co-founder and Spokesperson for Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song) the most reputable Dance Group of the Squamish Nation. Born and Raised Squamish, Bob has been exercising his Culture through Singing, Dances, and various presentations, for over 35 years.

Bob Baker

Eagle Song Dancers

The Reconciliation Sessions

Bob Baker

Bob Baker

Eagle Song Dancers

Eagle Song Dancers

VISION

The Reconciliation program envisions a world where Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities thrive together through rich cultural exchange and true interaction. We look to celebrate the differences and strengthen our similarities as people living together.

MISSION

CORE VALUES

reconciliation

We are committed to creating a sincere link between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in the city of Vancouver.

Collaboration and Openness

We deeply believe in the enrichment that comes from the interaction of different cultures. Offering workshops, seminars and performances of unconventional forms of art, we want to broaden the cultural scene of Vancouver area.

Inclusivity and Visibility

We are dedicated to giving a voice to artists that, without our help, would have been marginalized and unrecognized.

Accessibility for All

Our workshops and seminars are available to everyone, regardless of financial constraints. By offering these sessions free of charge, we aim to provide the city of Vancouver with a valuable opportunity to learn without barriers.

Bob Baker

The Vancouver Piano Sessions acknowledges that we work, teach and perform on the unceded and traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

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