Culture to fill the park

“June 21st in the park. This year, I feel is going to be the biggest celebration we’ve had to date,” Gouchie said. “There are so many vendors, so many people going to be in the park.”

Gouchie says one of the biggest changes this year is how the entertainment is set up. Before, the stage was filled with short acts and quick transitions. Now, they’re switching to a festival style that lets artists spend more time with the audience.

“We have scaled it back this year to do more of a festival style,” she said. “They’re going to get their 45-minute spots, they’re going to get to engage with the community.”

This is important to Gouchie because she believes the event is about more than just watching performances. It’s about feeling connected to something larger. She says drumming powerfully helps create that feeling. Drumming for me personally is a connection to ancestors, to nature,” Gouchie said. “Drumming here is really a way to bring people in, to bring in the heartbeat, to bring in that unity.”

The stage will have touring artists, local performers, drum groups, dancers, and young new talent. Gouchie says this mix is important because it allows for mentorship and gives the next generation a chance to shine.

Jen Rubadeau, communications manager for Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, says the day is also a chance to learn about Indigenous culture in a hands-on way. Visitors can check out artisan booths, food vendors, community info displays, and activities throughout the park.

“It’s a really incredible way to come together as a community and learn about all Indigenous cultures,” Rubadeau said. “It’s a great opportunity to come together.”

Rubadeau says people can visit a history tent, try birch bark activities, learn about prayer ties and traditional medicines, and watch a smokehouse demonstration. Organizers will also make Indian ice cream using soap berries.

Rubadeau sees the event as serving two goals. It gives Indigenous people a space to celebrate their culture openly and proudly, and welcomes non-Indigenous visitors to listen, learn, and better understand.

“Everyone is welcome,” she said. “It is completely free and open to the public.”

National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the summer solstice. In Prince George, organizers hope this year’s event will make the day both joyful and meaningful, a time when culture is shared, taught, and welcomed at the heart of the community.

by Dave Branco

Culture to fill the park

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