Chilliwack, BC – Chilliwack is unique– almost one in ten of us is of aboriginal descent. Compared to the rest of Canada, at 4 to 5%, and to other urban areas like Langley, Surrey and Vancouver, at around 2%, that means our city is unlike most other Canadian cities. And yes, we are a city. Even though we are surrounded by farmland and rural settings, Chilliwack is a big place, with a large population (87,523 as projected by the City of Chilliwack for 2015).
So it makes sense that there so many events planned to mark National Aboriginal Day, all through this month and the next. If you’ve never come out to one of these events, maybe peruse the list below and consider dropping by. There are so many things that make Chilliwack a very special place, and the mix of people who make up our community is no exception.
National Aboriginal Day, June 21, is an official day of celebration to recognize and honour the valuable contributions to Canadian society by Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. National Aboriginal Day is the same day as the summer solstice (the longest day of the year) and was chosen for its important symbolism to many Aboriginal peoples.
National Aboriginal Day is now part of a series of Celebrate Canada days, beginning with National Aboriginal Day and followed by the National Holiday of Quebec on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and concluding with Canada Day on July
In Chilliwack
National Aboriginal Day week & other events coming up in June & July in the Chilliwack/Agassiz area – open to all, most FREE of cost:
June 16: (Tuesday, 2:45 to 5:15) Aboriginal Family Gathering at Chilliwack Central Elementary Community School 9435 Young Rd., Chilliwack – poster attached – for more information contact
June 19: 12noon – 3pm Stó:lō Primary Health Care Centre Grand Opening, Stó:lō Nation building 7-7201 Vedder Rd., Chilliwack – poster attached, more information: or www.tzeachten.ca/files/File/Grandopening_poster.pdf
June 19 12pm to June 21 3pm: First Annual Aboriginal Day Celebration and Slahal Tournament (traditional stick games) at Cheam Fishing Village 930 Appel Rd., Agassiz. For more information call or www.cheamfishingvillage.com/follow
June 20: (Saturday 9 to 3pm) Aboriginal Wellnesss Day – Tzeachten Sports Field, 46770 Bailey Rd., Chilliwack – Poster attached, more information: or http://www.tzeachten.ca/files/File/Aboriginal%20Wellness%20Day%20Celebration%202015.pdf
June 20: 11am – 3pm Cedar Weaving Community Project, Stó:lō Nation building 10-7201 Vedder Rd., Chilliwack. Salmon lunch by donation. For more information call or https://www.facebook.com/events/945131122173567/?ref=5
June 27 & 28: Sasquatch Days, Harrison Hot Springs. Co-hosted by Sts’ailes & Harrison Hot Springs – poster attached, more information: or www.tourismharrison.com/Sasquatch-Day-Schedule
July 7: 11am – 2pm Stó:lō Kids in the Hall Early Literacy Event, Squiala Community Hall, 8528 Ashwell Rd., Chilliwack – for more information contact
July 22: 10am-3pmStó:lō Children’s Festival, Stó:lō site 7201 Vedder Rd., Chilliwack – poster attached, more information:
July 24-26: People of the River Pow Wow at Tzeachten Sports Field, 46770 Bailey Rd., Chilliwack – $2/day admission or $5 for the whole weekend – poster attached, more information:
