Surrey Schools honours Coast Salish culture and history on National Indigenous Peoples Day
This Saturday is National Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrating the heritage, diversity, culture and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada.
The 29th annual day of recognition is an opportunity to show admiration and respect for Indigenous Peoples nationwide and to share culture, history, spirit and experiences with each other and the community. In Surrey, the National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Wellness Event is taking place at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Cloverdale, hosted by the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo First Nations in partnership with the City of Surrey and numerous community organizations.
“Surrey is such a big community and it’s so spread out, and this is one of the events of the year where we come together and all see each other,” said Lyn Daniels, Director of Instruction with Indigenous Learning. “It’s so important for us to have a sense of community – it’s really hard to have an Indigenous identity if you aren’t together with other Indigenous people.”
Image: City of SurreyDaniels said it’s heartwarming to see non-Indigenous people attend the Surrey event each year, noting their appreciation and willingness to learn speaks to a broader recognition of Indigenous culture and history.
“Just coming to see what we’re about is a step toward reconciliation,” she said. “And for us, we get to revitalize our traditions and reengage with what it means to have an Indigenous identity.”
The Surrey event will feature cultural sharing from the local First Nations with teachings and practice through art, music, storytelling and dance. The district will have a tent with activities for kids and adults to learn more about Indigenous People, culture and history.
Additionally, a number of local community kitchens are providing free food, including Bannock and chili.
The event schedule is as follows:
- 2:00pm – Roots of Skate Sharing
- 2:30pm – First Nations Welcome
- 3:00-6:30pm – Cultural Sharing
- 4:00-6:00pm – Community Kitchen
- 6:30-7:00pm – Closing Ceremony
Additionally, a number of local community kitchens are providing free food, and TransLink is providing a free event shuttle from King George SkyTrain Station directly to the amphitheatre.
The event is free to attend and open to the public. The event runs from 2 to 7 p.m., with a welcome message at 2:30 p.m. The Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre is located at 17728 64th.
For more information, visit surrey.ca/IndigenousPeoplesDay
