People of all ages are invited to turn out to Moody Park today (Tuesday, June 21) for New Westminster’s 2022 National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
Communities across the country are marking National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is celebrated each year on the summer solstice.
In New Westminster, Spirit of the Children Society, Qayqayt First Nation and the City of New Westminster are partnering to offer up a program of cultural entertainment, activities, arts and crafts, Indigenous vendors and storytelling at Moody Park.
It runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and everyone is welcome. No tickets are required; admission is free.
National Indigenous Peoples Day stage performances
- 10:30 a.m.: Opening remarks
- 11 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.: Wild Moccasin Dancers Pow Wow, with Star Child (drumming)
- 11:40 a.m. to noon: Bear Dancers, with Star Child
- Noon to 12:20 p.m.: Jane Wiley (Raven) Hoop Dancer
- 12:30 to 1 p.m.: Stars of the North Drum Group
- 1 to 1:20 p.m.: Métis jigging and fiddle, with jigger Charlene Hamilton and fiddler Jeremy Lavallee
- 1:30 to 2 p.m.: Squamish Ocean Canoe Family traditional song and dance
- 2 to 2:30 p.m.: Bingo Switch, a jazzy Vancouver-based pop-rock band
Educational displays, activities and storytelling
- Red Fox Healthy Living Society Active Play
- Water Eater, the Spirit of the Children Society’s canoe
- Anishinabe-style teepee made by Giwiselini (Tony Solomon)
- Storytelling by William Nahanee, Joseph Dandurand and Deni Paquette
You can find a full schedule of events, and more information on all the performers, at the city's National Indigenous Peoples Day webpage.
Along with today’s celebrations in Moody Park, several other events celebrating Indigenous arts and culture are happening around New Westminster this week. Be sure to check them out:
Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass: Art exhibition
A Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass Indigenous Art Show is on at the Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery until July 31. Check it out in the gallery space on the third floor at Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.), outside the theatre.
Expressions of Reclamation: Art talks and performances
The Arts Council of New Westminster is presenting Expressions of Reclamation on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26.
Brought together by the arts council's Indigenous curator, S^yowah, Expressions of Reclamation is a series of free artist showcase events that provide a place for the community to learn about Indigenous practices and creative expressions.
Each presentation includes a short Q&A session.
- Saturday, June 25, 11 a.m.: Turn out to the bandshell for this dance performance and live interview with Olivia C. Davies.
- Saturday, June 25, 1 p.m.: Meet at Centennial Lodge for this talk by Cheryl Wadhams about the Kwakwa̲ka̲'wakw totem poles, including the Queen’s Park totem pole, carved by Wadhams’ uncle, Lloyd Wadhams.
- Sunday, June 26, 2 p.m.: Turn out at the bandshell for this performance by the internationally acclaimed band The Spiritual Warriors, who create music inspired by the land and life in the coast mountains of the Lil’wat Nation, blending Indigenous chants with contemporary roots, rock and reggae.
Run Woman Run: Movie screening
The next screening in the Last Monday at the Movies series brings an Indigenous story to the screen at Massey Theatre on Monday, June 27.
The movie tells the story of single mother Beck (Dakota Ray Hebert), whose steady diet of doughnuts, pizza, cake and cigarettes lands her in a diabetic coma. Then she receives an unexpected visit from new life coach — in the form of her ghostly ancestor, the legendary Onondaga marathon runner Tom Longboat (Asivak Koostachin).
Run Woman Run, directed and written by Zoe Leigh Hopkins, earned Best Film and Best Actress at the American Indian Film Festival and took home the Audience Choice and Moon Jury (Best Film) awards at the ImagineNATIVE festival.
Tickets are $9 general admission, or $8 students and seniors, available at the door (cash only) or online. Massey Theatre is at 735 Eighth Ave.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca.
