Surrey Indigenous Day celebration moves to Semiahmoo Park
June 19 event returns to traditional lands with live music, fashion show, marketplace, and surprise performers.
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Surrey's National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration is returning home this year. Semiahmoo First Nation will host the event at Semiahmoo Park on June 19, on the traditional lands where the celebration belongs.
"Bringing this event home is deeply meaningful to us," the Semiahmoo First Nation said. "On June 19, we will gather in celebration of culture, community, and the enduring strength of Indigenous peoples."
Last year's celebration was held in partnership with the City of Surrey at Cloverdale's Bill Reid Amphitheatre. This shift represents a recommitment to place and ownership, with the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) working in partnership with Semiahmoo First Nation.
The free celebration centres on cultural sharing and features live music, an Indigenous fashion show, an Indigenous marketplace, and kids' activities. Indigenous streetwear brand SECTION 35, known for bold contemporary designs, will showcase pieces on the Spirit stage during the event.
Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell told Peace Arch News: "We have some very special secret guests who are going to be coming and performing later in the evening."
The statement from the Nation emphasizes that by hosting this celebration, they're grounded in their cultural teaching and committed to creating lasting and inclusive experiences for all attendees. "We see this as a continuation of the strong relationships that have been built, and we would be honoured to carry this work forward together."
The event runs 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at Semiahmoo Park, 15782 Marine Dr. Updates and details are available on the Semiahmoo First Nation Facebook page and at semiahmoofirstnation.ca.