National Indigenous Peoples Day kicked off in Williams Lake on June 21, 2022, despite a slight drizzle.
A parade through the downtown was the start of a day of celebrations which continued from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Boitanio Park.
The parade went from First Avenue and then up Oliver Street and ended at Boitanio Park where hundreds of people, including school students, were in attendance.
Dozens of organizations had booths with demonstrations, food, activities for children and giveaways, while on the stage there were speeches and performances.
Under the picnic shelter there was a bannock making contest with eager judges ready to do the taste test and there was a Lahal tournament held in the park.
Valerie West of the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, who organized the celebration, thanked everyone for attending and for the support and guidance she received as she set out to put the event on.
“This is the biggest event I’ve ever put on,” she said. “Enjoy your day and thank you, thank you, thank you so much for coming out because this is something that we needed to get us all back together.”
This year’s theme was “honouring our future leaders” and West said it was great to see so many children attending the celebration.
“We need allies and we need to be holding each other up as non-First Nations and First Nations people and standing together,” said Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars. “The world is changing and in order for our communities to heal this is exactly what we need - to be coming together.”
Mayor Walt Cobb and members of city council participated in the parade and had a booth at the park.
“I want to recognize that we are on the original homelands of the Secwépemc people and we are here to celebrate Indigenous Day and enjoy the day,” Cobb said, adding he hoped Mother Nature would cooperate.
Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad and Esk’etemc hereditary chief Irvin Johnson said it was great opportunity to catch up with people.
“I’ve never participated in a parade period, much less come out to this event because I usually have so much work to do,” Johnson said. “It’s fabulous.”
Webstad said she had enjoyed some bannock made by women from her home community of Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation.
“It’s good to be among friends and be out once again.”
ruth.lloyd@wltribune.com
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