Maple Ridge marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a celebration of First Nations culture in Memorial Peace Park on Sunday, Sept. 29.
There were large crowds to witness the speakers and performers who brought a range of entertainment from traditional singing and drumming to modern rap styles. Set up under canopies were vendors offering bannock and other foods, and crafts.
There were also groups like the Fraser River Indigenous Society and PLEA Community Services. They were organizers of the event, in partnership with the Katzie First Nation and BC Spokes.
Katzie First Nation Chief Grace George called it “a day that holds deep meaning for our communities, for the residential school survivors, and for those who tragically did not make it home.”
“We stand together today not only to remember, but to acknowledge Canada’s dark history with our people,” she added.
She said the residential school victims did not live the lives they should have. They could have been storytellers, and hunters, weavers, keepers of song, language keepers, drummers and more.
“Their potential and their gifts were stolen by a system designed to erase our culture and take away our identities.”
This year the organizers chose the theme "Acknowledging Indigenous Resilience," to celebrate the strength and perseverance of Indigenous communities.
PLEA volunteers helped people spray paint orange shirts with hands and "Every Child Matters," and children took up paint brushes to colour a community art project designed by Brandon Gabriel.
As he sat above a giant orange shirt at the bandstand Charles Lafferty, a knowledge keeper with PLEA Community Services, was moved by what he saw.
"Our ancestors would be very happy that we're doing this work today," he said with emotion.
"This is reconciliation in action."
Donna Gregoire donned traditional Metis garb and even had her Pomeranian Kodiak in a tiny orange shirt.
"I enjoy this, it's a good get-together," she said. "And it's getting bigger – the first year there were just a few of us."
Gregoire credited local organizations like FRIS with helping her and others to connect with their traditional roots.
One of the organizers, Gerry Pinel, said there were 65 vendors and exhibitors, lots to do and see, and good crowds.
"It's about getting people to know and appreciate Indigenous culture," said Pinel.
