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Indigenous Programming

2025 Indigenous Cultural Ambassador - Elder Barbara Whyte (Billy)
The Hornby Festival conducts all Indigenous programming under the cultural direction of, and in deep relationship with, a local Coast Salish, Pentlatch Elder and member of the K’ómoks Nation. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support, guidance, cultural education, and care provided by Elder Barbara Whyte (Billy). Elder Barb is the daughter of a Deep Bay First Nation fisherwoman who fished in the Salish Sea off the shores of Hornby Island and Deep Bay, and of the late Sonny (Emmerson) Billy, Chief of the Pentlatch people, passed down from his father, Chief Willy Billy. She is a traditional knowledge keeper, healer, holder of the Pentlatch healing wand, and an expert in traditional plant medicine. She also serves as an Indigenous health consultant for major hospital building projects and for institutions such as UBC and the Faculty of Pharmacy.
All profits from our Indigenous programming go into the Elder Barb Fund to support future Indigenous cultural activities and educational initiatives on Hornby Island that contribute to education for awareness for change.

2025 Indigenous Artists-in-Residence and honoured guests of Elder Barbara Whyte (Billy).


Cory Cliffe, of the Laichwildaux Nation, is the president and co-founder of 7 Generations Stewards Society. He has worked in the environmental field for over 15 years. During that time, he developed a passion for learning about and creating traditional medicine, as well as combating the spread of invasive species impacting his territory.


Vanessa Sharkey, of the Paskawat Cree First Nation and married into the Laichwildaux Nation, is the Executive Director of 7 Generations and leads programming on medicinal plant identification, preparation, and usage. Her plant knowledge extends into foraging and survival food workshops.


Jake Sharkey, whose bloodlines come from Klahoose First Nation and Paskwāw Cree First Nation, has been learning from his mother, Vanessa, and Cory for many years now. Becoming a young leader in his community is a calling that reached his ears at an early age, from helping at his school as a cultural support peer to participating in potlatch preparation and ceremony. Jake loves to be on the land doing anything and everything he can to learn more about his ancestors’ way of life and bringing it back to the forefront of today’s focus.


Hwiemtun is from the unceded traditional territory of the Quw’utsun’ people on Vancouver Island. Born and raised in Khowutzun territory (the ‘Warm Land’) by a Coast Salish mother, Hwiemtun received many teachings of his Coast Salish culture. Through many years spent with Elders, he learned the cultural and spiritual traditions of his ancestors. He is also of Hawaiian lineage on his father’s side. For over 30 years, Hwiemtun has journeyed around the world to share and explore Indigenous ways of being with Elders and healers from many tribes. His connection to the spirit world, passion for storytelling, and dedication to sharing Indigenous knowledge have made him an intercultural teacher and guide. Hwiemtun uses oral history, music, and ceremony to nurture personal and collective transformation. He believes we are all related in some way, and that this understanding is key to achieving knowledge. He regularly conducts presentations, workshops, and ceremonies to promote awareness of Indigenous ways of knowing.

Photo by Don Peterson

Festival Opening

Thursday, July 31 | 7:30 PM 

Rosemuir Farm Mainstage

raditional Indigenous Welcome Ceremony with Elder Barbara Whyte (Billy) and her honoured guests Cory Cliffe and Jake Sharkey.

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CorVee Forest Foragers Tent

Thursday–Sunday, July 31–August 3

Rosemuir Farm

CorVee Traditional Plant Medicine - Cory Cliffe and Vanessa Sharkey of CorVee Forest Foragers produce beautiful and healing traditional medicines shared across North America. Visit their tent to explore and purchase their beautiful products.

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Dreamcatcher Workshop

Friday, August 1 | 10 AM - 12:00 PM 

Hornby Island Community Hall

$50 | Registration is limited

Materials provided: metal rings, twine, rope, feathers
Please bring any beads or personal items to include in your dreamcatcher.

Learn more

Photo by Don Peterson

Healing Circle with Elder Barbara Whyte (Billy)

Sunday, August 3 | 10 AM - 12 PM

Hornby Island Community Hall

$45 | Registration is limited

All ages welcome


Bring your personal health questions and learn about the Pentlatch approach to individual and community well-being.

Learn more

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Pine Pitch Arthritis Salve Workshop

Saturday, August 2 | 10 AM - 12 PM 

New Horizons

$30 | Registration is limited

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All ages welcome

Learn more

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Basket Weaving with Hwiemtun

Tuesday, August 5 | 10 AM-12PM

New Horizons

$85 | Registration is limited

All ages welcome

Learn more

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Sound Baths with Hwiemtun and Lekha (Métis)

Tuesday, August 5 | 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Hornby Island Community Hall

 

Back by popular demand, Hwiemtun and Lekha create a sound space for journeying through various frequencies. Instruments used include drums, flutes, crystal bowls, gongs, rattles, chimes, didgeridoo, and others to facilitate a fulfilling mind, body, and spirit experience. Participants can do their own spirit journey and cell memory recall.
Please bring a comfortable blanket, pillow, and water bottle.

Solfeggio Frequencies:


DO – 396 Hz – transforms grief into joy, guilt into forgiveness
RE – 417 Hz – clears negativity, removes subconscious blockages
MI – 528 Hz – stimulates love, restores equilibrium, repairs DNA
FA – 639 Hz – strengthens relationships, family, and community unity
SOL – 741 Hz – cleanses the body of toxins
LA – 852 Hz – awakens intuition, returns spiritual balance
TE – 963 Hz – frequency of the Gods, fosters spiritual oneness

Learn more

 

Second Sound Bath Healing Session

Wednesday, August 6 | 10 AM - 12 PM

(Registration will open once Tuesday's session reaches capacity)

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Logo for the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation and Pentlatch People

The Hornby Festival Society respectfully acknowledges that we live and work on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation and Pentlatch People

Hornby Festival Society

Box Office

2125 Sollans Road

Hornby Island, BC, V0R1Z0

Hours

Wednesday - Saturday | 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Contact

generalmanager@hornbyfest.com

250 - 335 - 2734

Photography by

jennifer armstrong photography

Don Peterson Photography

Established

29 April, 1982

Main Government Funders

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Canadian Heritage Logo
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