National Indigenous Peoples Day at Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society

Photo: Brayden Ursel

The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society is hosting the Turtle Island Festival on Tuesday to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, an occasion to learn more about the cultures, voices, history, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people.

Unable to host the annual event in recent years due to the pandemic, Barbara Jagodics of the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society is excited to be back this year welcoming everyone to join in on the festivities.

“The message is to celebrate Indigenous Day, Indigenous People and to share. This event is created to share with everyone and welcome everyone to our culture so they can experience it in a friendly and safe way," she said.

Jagodics says the all-day event, running 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. is loaded with activities for all ages including Indigenous song and dance, children’s activities, arts and crafts stands, a business lunch and a miniature Pow Wow.

“Personally, today is one of the best and happiest days. We also have Sisters and Spirit Day and we also have Reconciliation Day, with our second annual happening pretty soon. So this day is really wonderful because I love to share our artists,” said Jagodics. “That’s one of our ways we can share as our people on how we are and what we do.”

Leon Avenue is closed to traffic outside the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society during the event.

“Every year it gets bigger, which is lovely because more people are welcome every year and they feel safer to come here. Every year I have more people coming to me asking how can I help, how can I volunteer?” said Jagodics.

Everyone is invited to learn more about Indigenous People’s Day and come together at the Turtle Island Festival.

Photo: Melissa Campbell

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