A celebration for National Indigenous Peoples Day will be held in Cloverdale.
The event, set for June 21 from 3 to 8 p.m., will be hosted by the Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, and Katzie First Nations and will be held at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
“We invite everyone to join us in honouring the rich culture and history of Indigenous Peoples across Canada,” Mayor Brenda Locke said in a press release from the City of Surrey. “The National Indigenous Peoples Day event has grown exponentially over the years.”
She said the event is a “testament” to the City of Surrey’s commitment to “acknowledging and respecting” the ancestral territories of the Coast Salish Peoples.
“The National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Wellness Event is a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the diverse Indigenous cultures of these lands, as well as all others who have made this beautiful part of British Columbia their home,” said Harley Chappell, elected Chief of Semiahmoo First Nation. “We want to acknowledge the support pillars of this event, the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association and City of Surrey.”
According to the release, the celebration is an “opportunity to acknowledge and show respect and admiration for Indigenous Peoples past, present and future.”
The event also aims to share cultural history, spirit, experiences, stories, song, art, and dance with Indigenous Peoples and the wider Surrey-area community.
The in-person event will include cultural sharing from the local First Nations with teachings and practice through art, music, storytelling and dance, including: XiQuelem (Eugene Harry), Salish Thunderbird (Xwelmexw Shxwexwos), Inuit Throat Singing by PIQSIQ, Nadine Gagné B.C. Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Supported Child Development, Candace “Brown Bear Woman” Hill Trevena, Stars of the North Drum Group (LaDonna Wiks-Joseph name by Wata), Métis Jigging by Madelaine McCallum (Sukaskieskwew), and others.
Event schedule:
4:30 p.m.
Welcome by Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, Katzie First Nations
4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Cultural Sharing
5 to 7 p.m.
Community Kitchen opens
7:30 p.m.
Closing
7:30 to 8 p.m.
Cultural Vocalists
For more info, visit surrey.ca/IndigenousPeoplesDay.
The Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre is located in Cloverdale at 17728 64th Avenue.
editor@cloverdalereporter.com
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