How to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in Jasper

Jasper is set to host its annual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration with a full schedule of events in Robson Park on June 21.

The Jasper Indigenous Forum comprises more than 20 nations with traditional ties to the area, and spans six different language groups. This year, Jasper National Park is honoured to partner with Simpcw, People of the River, as hosts of the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration.

The Símpcwemc (Simpcw people) are part of the Secwépemc, or Shuswap Nation and have deep ancestral and contemporary connections to the land now known as Jasper National Park.

All are welcome to come out; don't miss this chance to celebrate the storytelling, songs and dances and learn from the Indigenous Peoples of this region.

Check the day's event schedule here, as new workshops and highlights are added.

"I love going to Jasper," says Rae Bowser, a cultural education worker for the Simpcw First Nation and one of the organizers for the National Indigenous Peoples Day events in Jasper. "Returning to where my ancestors fished and gathered, and where a lot of our people are from, is really special. This day is such a positive way to share our heritage, generational knowledge, and personal stories."

Bowser will be doing two presentations: one on traditional fishing methods, and another on the Secwépemc traditional languages.

"Visitors can expect a welcoming atmosphere. We've always been very friendly to people on our land. We just love to laugh and have fun," she says. "Don't be afraid to visit with the elders that you see."

She mentions that certain events (such as the morning's pipe ceremony) are more sacred and shouldn't be photographed, but that announcements will be made in advance to put the cameras away.

June 21 Events

9:30am - Pipe Ceremony & Prayer

This sacred ceremony will be lead by Simpcw and Bighorn Chiniki Stoney Nation.

10am - Flag raising & opening remarks

Listen to song as the flags of Simpcw, Secwépemc, Truth & Reconciliation and Every Child Matters are raised. Opening remarks by Kúkwpi7 George Lampreau (Simpcw), Jasmine Ramratan (Parks Canada Acting Field Unit Superintendent), and Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland.

11am - Storytelling

Renowned storyteller Kenthen Thomas will take the main stage. The Secwepemc stories or ‘Stsepetkwll’ – Legends That Teach” provide both entertainment and important lessons.

12pm - Secwepemc Songs & Dances

Will feature the Welcome Song, Unity Song, Prayer, Honour Song, Porcupine Song and Salmon Song.

1pm - Bear Dancers

3pm - Cree hand drumming

Frank Roan (Mountain Cree) and Shelley Calliou (Kelly Lake Cree Nation).

4pm - Closing & Farewell song

Ongoing from 11am - 4pm

Indigenous Artisan Market

Bring cash to purchase exquisite artworks and crafted pieces from Indigenous makers. Six different partner communities will be participating, with multiple generations represented.

Cultural Knowledge Workshops (Registration opens at 11am)

• Children’s Activity with Wyanne Wesley-Smallboy, Bighorn Chiniki Stoney Nation
• Plants and Medicines with Rae Bowser, Simpcw
• Secwepemctsín Language Learning with Rae Bowser, Simpcw
• Secwepemc Traditional Fishing Methods with Rae Bowser, Simpcw
• Flint Arrowhead Demonstration with Ed Jensen, Simpcw
• Ortho-Bionomy Demonstration with Laurian Calliou, Student of Ortho-Bionomy, Kelly Lake Cree Nation
• Foothills Ojibway First Nation Cultural Knowledge Workshop: hereditary lineage, kinship relationships and our relationship to Jasper with Chief Jimmy O’Chiese, Foothills Ojibway First Nation