Troubles beset Elders' gathering

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"This baby almost wasn't born."

That's what John Delorme, the co-ordinator of the 27th annual Elders' gathering, said when asked about the challenges of organizing this year's event.

The gathering is no small undertaking, but this year offered more obstacles than usual, namely a lack of time and money.

Delorme said the United Native Nations originally were the hosts. "At some point the UNN didn't feel they wanted it. I don't think the leadership was behind it."

The task of organizing the gathering was then handed off to another agency. It changed hands again when Delorme was asked to co-ordinate it, less than two months before the Elders were to meet.

"You've got to understand, I came into an empty office. I utilized every last piece of resource to get what we ended up with," said Delorme. And what they ended up with, despite poor sponsorship and little time, was a three-day event attended by approximately 4,500 people.

Delorme pointed to the dedication of many, including Marjorie White, executive director of the Circle of Eagles Lodge, which was the main sponsor. "We ran into a lot of things-corporate sponsorship just wasn't there ... but we lived and breathed this thing 24 hours a day.

"I've got a lot of positive feedback from Elders and other organizers. I haven't heard any outright negative feedback," said Delorme. "Sure, people asked, 'How come everything wasn't ready?' because the food was late, but what can you do?

"There are people that should take a good look at themselves from my perspective," said Delorme, "But the people that pulled it together were good, solid people."

The theme of this year's gathering, held Aug. 20 to 22, was "Grandmothers and Grandfathers Pulling Together for our Children." Organizational challenges aside, it was chock-full from the grand entry to the closing ceremony with entertainment, workshops and a powwow.

Entertainment included the Eagles Nest Dance Group, Marvin Joe and the Kwikwetlem Dance Troupe, and a fashion show with the Traditional Mothers and Grandmothers. It ranged in scope from the Elders' talent show to the youth's hip-hop music.

One unique aspect of the gathering was that for the first time it was hosted in an urban setting. "It showed the community that in order to make it work we had to unify, to find a way to encompass everyone," said Delorme. "Everyone was welcome-that's what our mission was."

"At the end of the day we did the best we could do with what we had to work with," said Delorme. "We put it together and it worked. That's the way I see it."

Next year's Elders' gathering will be held in Kamloops at the end of July.