Maple Ridge will celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day this Saturday, June 22, in Memorial Peace Park.
The Fraser River Indigenous Society is hosting the local event again, with drumming, dancing, storytelling, and artisans, and a theme for 2024 of Pursuing Your Dreams. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and FRIS invites the entire community to join.
Local dancer Jane Wylie will kick off the entertainment with hoop dancing starting at 10:30 a.m.
The rest of the set list includes:
• Tsatsomtun drumming at 10:45 a.m.
• Colin Bird stand-up comedy at 11:10 a.m.
• Hula Spirit dancing at 11:20 a.m.
• Lisa Shepard Metis jigging at 11:40 a.m.
• Sandy Scofield singing at noon
• Brandon Gabriel with an artist talk at 12:30 p.m.
• Colin Bird comedy at 12:45 p.m.
• Heartbeat of the Rez Katzie drumming and dance at 1 p.m..
• Oscar Joseph men's traditional powwow dance at 1:25 p.m.
• Round dance community engagement at 1:45 p.m.
Those attending in Maple Ridge are invited to bring a chair or blanket to watch the entertainment. The event will run alongside the weekly Haney Farmers Market, making Memorial Peace Park a busy place this Saturday.
It is one of many events at cities across the region, and around the province, as June is a month to honour the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples – First Nations, Inuit, and Metis.
