The Quesnel Tillicum Society will be hosting the 25th annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 21.
The celebration will take place at the Aboriginal Education Centre at 241 Kinchant Street (Helen Dixon building).
The celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will include free food courtesy of Safeway, a Grade 12 graduation ceremony, a college and university graduation ceremony, a teepee display and a mini pow wow.
Dina Unrau, the chair of the celebration, says the festival costs approximately $9,500, and every year they start from nothing. Approximately 30 vendors are expected to attend the event, which is open and free to everyone.
She says the event is important for sharing “our culture and traditions” with the community, as well as to celebrate those who are indigenous within the community.
The North Cariboo Métis Association is also involved in the event.
Connie Goulet, the office manager for the North Cariboo Métis Association, says the group will have a tent up with Métis books and displays. She says they usually try to give away teddy bears to the kids in attendance, as well as hold a couple other giveaways.
They’re also involved in a cultural game between the booths, where participants can walk around and answer questions. If they get the answer right, they’ll receive a stamp.
As well, Métis dancers will be giving a performance at the event.
The City of Quesnel is within the traditional territory of the Lhtako Déne Nation (Red Bluff). The nation’s main community is located just south of Quesnel.
Other local Indigenous groups include:
Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation (Kluskus), whose traditional territory sits in the upper Blackwater River watershed west of Quesnel and south of Vanderhoof. The nation’s main community is situated on Kluskus Lake.
Nazko First Nation, part of the Carrier Nation, whose territory is located west of Quesnel and includes the Baezaeko, Trout Lake and Nazko reserves.
?Esdilagh First Nation (Alexandria), whose traditional territory stretches both sides of the Fraser River between Quesnel and Williams Lake.
The main donors to the Indigenous Peoples’ Day event include the First Nations Health Authority, Community Gaming BCLC, College of New Caledonia, Community Futures, Quesnel and District Community Arts Council and Celebrate Canada.
The day was previously called National Aboriginal Day, and was first announced in 1996 by the Governor General of Canada. In 1982 and 1995, First Nations groups called for the creation of an Aboriginal Day. It was realized in 1996.
On June 21, 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau issued a statement announcing the intention to rename the day National Indigenous Peoples Day.
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