National Aboriginal Day

National Aboriginal Day (NAD) in Canada takes place on June 21. It is a special day to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. Here in Victoria the celebration was spread out over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Today's photos are of some of the younger performers in Saturday's program. The young fellow above is waiting his turn to go onstage. I neglected to get his name though I enjoyed his dance and his magnificent costume. The girl pictured below is Amber Wells who performed an amazingly intricate hoop dance. Look at how she's got those hoops arranged!

Royal BC Museum

Every January the Royal BC Museum waives its usual entrance fee and has a weekend of entrance by donation. We went particularly to see the photo exhibit of the year's best nature photos. If you're in Victoria check out "Wildlife Photographer of the Year." Great and inspiring photos.

When I'm in the museum I can never resist photographing the wonderful Woolly Mammoth in the natural diorama part of the museum. That area is always full of kids bent over the information panels and peering into the wonderfully realistic forest and seashore settings.