Celebrate Surrey's National Indigenous Peoples Day

Surrey BC – Get ready to celebrate Surrey’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, returning to the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Cloverdale on June 21 from 3 to 8 p.m. Hosted by the sǝmyámǝ (Semiahmoo), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nations, this Indigenous-led event invites everyone to honour and share in the cultural heritage of Indigenous Peoples, both past and present. 

"I'm excited to welcome everyone to Surrey's National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “This event is a special opportunity for us to come together and honour the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Indigenous Peoples, both past and present. It's a chance for us to learn, grow, and build stronger relationships with our Indigenous communities, and to show our respect for the ancestral territories of the Coast Salish Peoples. I'm grateful for the leadership of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, and Kwantlen First Nations in hosting this event, and I look forward to celebrating with all of you."

“O Siam e Nes Chalacha Siam. The National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Wellness Event is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the diverse Indigenous cultures of these lands. We also want to acknowledge the supporting pillars of this event: Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association and City of Surrey” said Harley Chappell (Xwopokton), elected Chief of Semiahmoo First Nation.

Event schedule:

• 3:00 p.m. - Roots of Skate Sharing
• 4:30 p.m. - First Nations Welcome
• 4:30-7:30 p.m. - Cultural Sharing
• 5-7 p.m. - Community Kitchen
• 7:30 p.m. - Notorious Cree
• 7:30-8 p.m. - Closing Ceremony

The celebration will feature cultural sharing with teachings and practice through art, music, storytelling and dance by the local First Nations, including XiQuelem, (Eugene Harry), Salish Thunderbird (Xwelmexw Shxwexwos), Inuit Throat Singing by PIQSIQ, Nadine Gagné, Notorious Cree, Candace “Brown Bear Woman” Hill Trevena, Stars of the North Drum Group, (LaDonna Wiks-Joseph name by Wata), and many more. 

Surrey is situated on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territories of the land-based Nations of sǝmyámǝ (Semiahmoo), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) and  q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial.

Free shuttle service: TransLink is providing a free event shuttle from King George SkyTrain station beginning at 2 p.m. directly to the Bill Reid Amphitheatre in Cloverdale. Please note there are no stops in between.

For event information: surrey.ca/IndigenousPeoplesDay.