Surrey celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 at Holland Park

Doug McCallum

SURREY’S National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Wellness Event takes place on Tuesday, June 21 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Holland Park.

Hosted by the local land-based First Nations, Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie, this Indigenous-led event is an opportunity to acknowledge and show respect and admiration for Indigenous Peoples past, present and future; to share cultural history; and to share spirit, experiences, stories, song, art and dance with each other and the community, says the City.

“National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to honor the rich and resilient cultures of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit throughout Canada,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. “With one of the largest Urban Indigenous populations in British Columbia, Surrey is extremely proud of its Indigenous heritage. On behalf of Council, we look forward to celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 with all the citizens of Surrey.”

“O Siam e Nes Chalacha Siam. The National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Wellness Event is a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the diverse Indigenous cultures of these lands, as well as all others who have made this beautiful part of British Columbia their home,” said Harley Chappell, elected Chief of Semiahmoo First Nation.

Event schedule: 

  • 3–8 p.m.: Full Event
  • 4:30 p.m.: Welcome by Semiahma (Semiahmoo), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nations
  • 5-7 p.m.: Community BBQ
  • 7:30 p.m.: Closing

This free in-person event will feature cultural sharing from the local First Nations and Nova Métis with teachings and practice through art, music, storytelling and dance including:

  • Nadine Gagné
  • XiQuelem, (Eugene Harry)
  • FRAFCA Elders and Youth
  • SD36 – Aboriginal Learning
  • The Wild Moccasin Dancers, (Shyama-Priya and David Whitebean)
  • Candace “Brown Bear Woman” Hill Trevena
  • Stars of the North Drum Group, (LaDonna Wiks-Joseph name by Wata)
  • Métis Jigging by Madelaine McCallum (Sukaskieskwew)
  • Salish Thunderbird (Xwelmexw Shxwexwos)
  • JB the First Lady, (Nuxalk and Onondaga Nation)
  • And more

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 nations.

For more information, visit surrey.ca/NIPD.

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