Skip to content

Four Directions Lounge extends invitation to enjoy First Nation culture

Traditional First Nation activities planned for Four Directions Lounge
web1_DSC_0102-copy
Gaeil Farrar photo The BIA’s executive director Kate Lines (left) and summer student Doreen Hance want to know if people think it’s time the commonly used terms for the traditional First Nations game “Indian Bingo” and the First Nations tart “Indian Ice Cream” should have a name change. The ice cream and bingo game are some of the activities planned for the Four Directions Lounge that will be part of the 4-Directions Festival in downtown Williams Lake on Canada Day, July 1. Check out the BIA’s Facebook page and join the discussion.

The Four Directions Lounge is an exciting new addition to the 4-Directions Festival taking place in downtown Williams Lake on Canada Day July 1, say event organizers.

Developed by the BIA’s summer student Doreen Hance, The Four Directions Lounge will be setup on Third Avenue between the Paradise Cinemas and the Cariboo Friendship Centre, says Kate Lines, executive director with the Downtown Williams Lake Business Improvement Association.

The Four Directions Lounge will be a place to rest and relax and enjoy some First Nations cultural activities such the games Lehal and “Indian Bingo” and try traditional dishes such as the tart “Indian Ice Cream” made by whipping soapalali berries into a pink froth.

“Doreen has been a huge help to me envisioning the Four Directions Lounge and connecting with the bands,” Lines says. “It feels so good to be honouring our First Nations communities and making them the focus of the 4-Directions Festival.

“We’re creating a space for the kinds of activities that would happen at a First Nations gathering, and welcoming all members of our colourful Cariboo culture to enjoy the experience.”

Doreen says she is looking forward to organizing the Four Directions Lounge. “I am mainly excited to see all the different people come together for this event at the festival.”

While discussing possible activities for the Four Directions Lounge, Lines became concerned that the names Indian Bingo and Indian Ice Cream might be offensive to First Nations people.

“Doreen suggested we start a discussion on Facebook and so now the question is out there gathering comments,” Lines says.

Should Indian Bingo and Indian Ice Cream have new names and if so what should they be?

Third Avenue south to Yorston Street is one of the sections of the downtown core that will be blocked to traffic for the 4-Directions Festival between noon and 9 p.m. on July 1.

Directly beside the Four Directions Lounge the lakecity’s mural artist Dwayne Davis will be inviting the community to help him paint a mural on the Friendship Society’s building. The scene painted will be of a traditional pit house.

Also close by the lounge will be a multicultural village orchestrated by Meera Shah from Canadian Mental Health Association Cariboo Chilcotin Branch.

Shah has been working with Mary Thomas to welcome Charles Joseph a master Coast Salish carver to the festival.

Joseph will be carving and telling stories from noon to 3 p.m.

The Makers Market will flow up Third Avenue from the Four Directions Lounge to Oliver Street and feature more than 30 gifted artists and artisans, many of them offering traditional First Nations art and crafts, Lines says.

“And finally, just when you might think this corner of the festival couldn’t get any more exciting, Spirit Carver Dean will be doing chainsaw carving demonstrations alongside his Makers Market booth.”