This year’s National Indigenous People’s Day celebrations kick off a three-day multi-cultural extravaganza.
National Indigenous People's Day is held annually on Summer Solstice (June 21) where everyone is welcomed to gather in celebration of Indigenous Peoples of Canada.
The 2019 celebration is being hosted by the Lheidli T’enneh in partnership with the three-day Heatwave - Celebrate Cultures festival.
Along with the music, singing, drumming, and dancing, this year’s event will feature Indigenous chainsaw carver Randy Gauthier, totem pole carver Len Paquette as well as a variety of cultural workshops. There will also be plenty of children’s activities, food tents and much more.
“We wanted to showcase more than just Lheidli history and culture during this year’s national day of recognition for Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Prince George is home to people from more than 40 Indigenous communities and nations and it’s important that while they reside on our territory, we recognize their contribution to the community and enrichment of our lands,” says Lheidli arts and culture coordinator Kym Gouchie in a news release.
“Indigenous culture is so much more than music, drumming and dancing. We are carvers, storytellers, teachers of traditional arts and craft, and we enjoy sharing our traditional foods. We invite everyone to come down to Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on June 21 and share in the fun, learning and community.”
The day begins at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on Friday, June 21 at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. and then the action moves over to the Canada Games Plaza at 7 p.m. for the Heatwave - Celebrate Cultures event.
“What’s exciting about this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations is that they are part of a larger festival called ‘Heatwave’. Our nation, the City of Prince George and other community groups and sponsors have teamed up to host a three-day event to celebrate cultures, celebrate summer solstice and celebrate that our community is unique in being home to people from so many different indigenous nations and from countries around the world,” says Lheidli Chief Clay Pountney.
“Heatwave gets started on Friday night in Canada Games Plaza after our event in the park concludes. The really great news is that much of the entertainment through Heatwave are Indigenous musicians and performers. Events like Heatwave are what make Prince George a special community and we’re proud to be the Host First Nation.”
To find out more about the schedule of events for National Indigenous People’s Day and the accompanying Heatwave events you can check out the event’s website online.
