Tla’amin Nation welcomed 15 of their newest members on April 6 with a baby welcoming
ceremony at the community’s Salish Centre.

The ceremony was for all of the babies born into the community in 2017.

During the event, the babies and their families were brushed with cedar by Tla’amin Elder John Louie, who explained that the ceremony is meant to honour the children and help them go forward in a good way.

“We always honoured our children,” he said. “So this ceremony is recognizing (them).”

Along with the babies born in the community, other families from Tla’amin’s weekly prenatal
program were also invited to participate with permission from elders, according to Nehl Motl Newspaper.

In a statement printed in Nehl Motl, Tla’amin’s health promotion worker Dawn Pallen and community health nurse Sheila Paquette also raised their hands to all the families who worked hard to finish baby button blankets before the event.

“We welcome these new babies into our Tla’amin Nation,” the statement said.