A large crowd is expected at the free and public event at Maffeo Sutton Park. Entertainment and informative events will be available for all ages. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

learning opportunity

Rich culture and heritage on display for Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Jun 21, 2022 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a time to celebrate the heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples Canada-wide.

Locally a celebration at Maffeo Sutton Park on Tuesday, June 21 from 5-8 p.m features a family-friendly celebration, including entertainment and teachings from local Indigenous groups.

Elise Boulanger from the Mid-Island Metis Nation said this event has attracted hundreds of attendees in the past.

“It’s about celebrating Indigenous people’s and culture and coming together as a community to connect, have fun, enjoy and learn.”

Food trucks and vendors will be set up in the park, along with Indigenous games to play, while a a teepee will be on on-site.

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Lessons in beading and Métis jigging will be on display, which is a combination of First Nations dancing and Scottish and French-Canadian step-dancing.

“At 5 p.m. there will be an opening ceremony and prayers, then Snuneymuxw’s Footprints of the Wolf will be performing, followed by the Mid-Island Métis Nation Fiddle Group, some speeches and presentations, and more,” Boulanger said.

Ed Peekeekoot will also be performing, and the evening will be closed with the Hishuk’ish Tsawalk dance group.

Boulanger said a lot of planning and community cooperation went into this event.

“We have lots of people who are happy to help, like the VIEX (Vancouver Island Exhibition) reconciliation quilt on display.”

While personally not an Indigenous person, Boulanger said events like these are great opportunities for people of all walks of life to learn about their culture.

“I feel like sharing the culture and letting people be involved with it and learning is a great way to bring communities together in general, and create an environment so we can mutually respect and understand each other.”

Other events to commemorate National Indigenous People’s Day include the reveal of an orange heart display at the Nanaimo Vancouver Island University (VIU) campus.

Last June 21, VIU students helped design 215 orange wooden hearts, in memory of 215 bodies detected by ground-penetrating radar on the site of the Kamloops residential school.

That permanent display will be unveiled during a ceremony on June 21 at 9 a.m. and acknowledges the historical impacts of residential schools and hopes to encourage conversation amongst all community members.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow