SURREY’S National Indigenous Peoples Day virtual celebration will be broadcast on Monday, June 21 at 6 p.m. on Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association’s Facebook page (@FRAFCA) and YouTube channel (@FRAFCA).
Hosted by the Local Land Based Nations, Semiahma (Semiahmoo), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), this Indigenous-led event will feature cultural sharing, teaching and practice of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families of Canada through art, music and storytelling.
“National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time for all Canadians to come together to reflect and learn the rich heritage and culture of Indigenous People,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. “With the discovery of the mass burial site at the former Kamloops Residential School, it is also a somber event. It’s essential to learn and acknowledge this dark chapter of Canada’s history if we are to achieve Reconciliation. I urge everyone to take the time to mark this day by finding out more about the history, contributions and stories of the proud Indigenous People of Canada.”
“O Siam e Nes Chalacha Siam. I want to respectfully send condolences to the children, families of the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation,” said Harley Chappell (Xwopokton), elected Chief of Semiahmoo First Nation. “Surrey’s National Indigenous Peoples Day aims to share cultural teachings that creates a greater awareness and celebrates the Local Nations and urban Indigenous Peoples of Surrey, as a small step in achieving the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
Performers will include The Wild Moccasin Dancers (Shyama-Priya and David Whitebean), Stars of the North Drum Group (LaDonna Wiks-Joseph name by Wata), XiQuelem (Eugene Harry), Brown Bear Woman (Candace Hill Trevena), JB the First Lady (Nuxalk and Onondaga Nation), and Madelaine McCallum (Sukaskieskwew).
Surrey is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Semiahma (Semiahmoo), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) land-based First Nations.
For more information, visit www.surrey.ca/NIPD.
