Imagine the scene. About 2500 people in a formal performance hall, many of them regular subscription holders, all rustling with anticipation and dressed for an evening at the opera.  They are here to see the Magic Flute.  The music is Mozart’s but in this production, the storyline has been interpreted as a First Nations narrative.

The executive director of the Vancouver Opera steps out on stage to say a few words. He acknowledges, among other things, that the performance, which is occurring at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in downtown Vancouver, is on traditional Coast Salish territory.

He then introduces Ian Campbell, Hereditary Chief of the Squamish Nation, who is present to greet the audience in the traditional manner with a song of welcome.

As Chief Campbell begins the song, a half-dozen people in the rows ahead of us begin to rise – and my partner and I stand up as well.  It’s almost instinctive – a gesture of respect.  However, in the split second as we stand – a whole bunch of information gets processed in my brain. Continue reading →