Much of Friday will include gatherings and celebrations as communities around the country, and across the Lower Mainland, celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.
A major intersection in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood will transform into a party Friday afternoon to celebrate the day.
The party, organized by the Carnegie Community Centre with the City of Vancouver, will take over the Main and East Hastings street intersection. The party kicks off at 12 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m.
“Empowering the past, embracing the present, uplifting the future: Join us as we come together as a community to Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day!” organizers shared.
The party, held on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, will have community tables, cultural sharing, and performances from J.B. The First Lady, Mannix, Haida Dance Group, D.J. Angle, Zofia Rose, and Carnegie’s lexwst’i:lem drum group.
“Everyone is welcome to come and spend the day with us as we celebrate,” organizers said.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is held on June 21 every year.
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) will be holding its own celebration — skwáyel tl’a steltélmexw (Indigenous Peoples Day) — at the Chief Mathias Centre.
In West Vancouver, artists are at Ambleside Beach from 4 p.m., sharing traditional art with community. Live music and drumming from Squamish Nation members and The Electric Eagle Warriors will be featured at the event.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society, along with the Britannia Community Services Centre Society, are holding are celebration at Grandview Park off Commercial Drive in East Vancouver.
The event, beginning at 12 p.m., features performances by Hayley Wallis One Way Sky – Adrian D Thomas Zach Saunders DJ Staniml, and an Indigenous market.