In an old-fashioned, historically accurate alert, Fort Langley heritage interpreter Celine Ahodekon was cheerfully banging a pot to let visitors know a presentation about Sir James Douglas was about to begin at the fort theatre on Saturday, Sept 1, It was a celebration of the multicultural heritage of Douglas, the first governor of British Columbia, who was sworn in at Fort Langley in 1858. Born in Guyana to a Creole mother and a Scottish father, Douglas later married a Métis woman, Amelia Connolly, who was Scottish and First Nations, Ahodekon explained. "So you see, he has a diverse background and we try to celebrate First Nations, Black and Caribbean cultures on the site [to celebrate his memory]," Ahodekon said.
Scottish culture was honoured as well, with a performance by the Fort Langley Voyageurs Scottish Country Dancing Club in the theatre. Dancer Kimberly Perkins, from Walnut Grove, explained the difference between Scottish country and highland dancing. "Highland dancing is very difficult to do and maybe harsh on the bones, whereas country dancing is very informal and it's a way that the people from the town got together," Perkins told the Langley Advance Times.
"It was a very community-based sort of dance." Club dancers demonstrated simple dances and invited audience members to try it out. "You don't need a kilt to do this," commented Louise Murphy, a dance instructor with the club.
"You don't have to be Scottish. You don't have to come with a partner." More about S.