An opportunity to hear stories told by an Indigenous chief, then view petroglyphs dating back thousands of years played out in a pristine corner of South Surrey last weekend, as events and activities organized to mark Earth Day 2023 were held around the globe.

Surrounded by mature firs and maples, in the middle of the precious greenspace that is Kwomais Point Park, children and adults alike sat captivated on Saturday (April 22) as Chief Phil Lane Jr. shared tales of nature and Indigenous import.

鈥淚 was sharing stories from the Dakota culture鈥� that teach lessons,鈥� Lane said Tuesday.

鈥淭hat teach us how to be more loving and kind and compassionate human beings, to ourselves and all life, including our animal relatives.鈥�

The White Rock senior was invited to lead the storytime by White Rock & South Surrey Jewish Community Centre officials, as part of a Shomreh Adamah Program planned for Shabbat Earth Day.

Lane said having stories engage attendees as young as two years old up to elders was a challenge 鈥� but one he was up for.

鈥淓verybody seemed to enjoy themselves and have a good time,鈥� he said, noting he comes 鈥渇rom a family of storytellers.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檝e been on this path since 1967,鈥� he added.

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Lane is chair of Four Worlds International Institute, a White Rock-based organization focused 鈥渙n the importance of culture and spirituality in all elements of development.鈥�

According to information at fwii.net and 4worlds.org, he is an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Dakota and Chickasaw Nations and an internationally recognized leader in human, community, and economic development. He was formally recognized as a hereditary Chief in 1992.

Eighteen people participated at the Kwomais Point Park event Saturday, taking in what WRSSJCC director of community development Rebecca Tobias described as 鈥淚ndigenous beauty right in our neighbourhood.鈥�

Following Lane鈥檚 animated presentation, attendees were treated to a petroglyph tour on Crescent Beach, led by educator and field guide Robert Hallum, and accompanied by Don Welsh, consulting archaeologist for the Semiahmoo First Nation.

The tour provided a peek at some of the area鈥檚 history that many don鈥檛 even know exists, said Tobias.

She described the event as 鈥渁 great success.鈥�

The program was part of Surrey Environmental Extravaganza, which continues through June 11, offering in-person, self-guided and virtual events ranging from bird walks and tree plantings to invasive-plant removals and more.

For more information, or to check out what鈥檚 planned for May and June, visit surrey.ca

The same day, urban forester Alexander Martin was scheduled to speak at Ocean Park鈥檚 Sanford Hall.

The presentation was part of Surrey鈥檚 2023 Environmental Extravaganza lineup, and served as an opportunity to 鈥渄iscover and learn how the public and urban foresters alike can help drive change in perceptions of urban forest management, aiding in preserving canopy cover and habitat for urban wildlife conservation.鈥�