The air smells of cedar and sage as drummers gather in a circle at Riverside Park. Their rhythmic beats carry across the water, inviting everyone to join the celebration that has become a cherished tradition in Kamloops.
I arrived early, watching volunteers hang colorful banners between trees as food vendors set up their stations. A group of youth performers practice their steps nearby, their jingle dresses catching morning light. This is how Kamloops prepares to honor Indigenous Peoples Day 2025 – with intention, community, and a celebration that grows more meaningful each year.
“This day isn’t just about acknowledging the past. It’s about celebrating our living cultures and creating space for the next generation,” says Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, whose territory hosts the gathering. “When you see our young people dancing, speaking our language, that’s resilience in action.”
The June 21st celebration marks the summer solstice, traditionally significant to many Indigenous nations across Turtle Island. In Kamloops, the event has expanded from a small gathering to a day-long festival drawing thousands from across the Interior.
This year’s theme, “Honoring the Land, Celebrating Our Stories,” connects traditional knowledge with contemporary expressions of Indigenous identity. The programming reflects this beautifully – from morning prayers and welcome ceremonies to contemporary Indigenous music performances scheduled into the evening.
Food remains central to the celebration. Vendors offer traditional and fusion cuisine that tells stories of adaptation and continuity. I watch as people line up for Three Sisters stew, bannock tacos, and wild salmon prepared using methods passed down for generations.
“Food is our first medicine and our connection to place,” explains Elder Mona Jules, who has been instrumental in revitalizing Secwepemctsín food terminology. “When young people learn to identify plants, prepare traditional foods, they’re connecting to thousands of years of knowledge.”
The celebration consciously balances education with celebration. Interactive displays allow visitors to learn about traditional technologies, from fishing methods to hide tanning. Artists demonstrate various techniques, from cedar weaving to digital design that incorporates traditional imagery.
“We’re not static artifacts,” says Métis artist Jordan Benjamin, who displays beadwork alongside digital prints. “Indigenous creativity flows through every medium, from the traditional to the cutting edge. That’s what I want people to understand when they see my work.”
For many Indigenous participants, the day provides vital cultural connection. Katie Michel brings her children every year from Skeetchestn. “Growing up, I didn’t have these opportunities. Now my kids can dance, hear the language, and see themselves represented in a positive way. That matters.”
The celebration has evolved significantly since Canada officially renamed National Aboriginal Day as National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017. What was once primarily organized by municipal institutions now operates through collaborative leadership, with Indigenous communities directing priorities and programming.
City councillor Dieter Dudy acknowledges this shift: “Our role has become supporting rather than leading. That’s as it should be. We provide logistical support and funding, but the heart of this day comes from Indigenous knowledge keepers and organizers.”
The importance of this approach became especially clear following 2021, when ground-penetrating radar identified 215 potential unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. The community’s grief transformed how the city approached reconciliation efforts, including cultural celebrations.
“There’s deeper understanding now,” notes Len Pierre, an Indigenous education consultant who has observed the evolution of such events across British Columbia. “Communities are moving beyond performative recognition toward meaningful relationship-building. It’s slow work, but these celebrations create important touchpoints.”
For visitors, the day offers multiple entry points to engage. Some come for the powwow dancing, others for the food or craft market. Families appreciate the children’s area with storytelling and activities designed to make Indigenous teachings accessible to young people of all backgrounds.
Thompson Rivers University students volunteer throughout the event, including those from the Indigenous Student Union. “This is living education,” explains nursing student Jasmine Williams. “The classroom gives you theory, but days like this connect you to the community you’ll eventually serve.”
As afternoon turns to evening, the celebration shifts toward contemporary expressions. Indigenous musicians blend traditional elements with hip-hop, folk, and electronic influences. Food trucks remain busy as families spread blankets on the grass, creating the relaxed atmosphere of a community gathering rather than a formal event.
“That’s exactly what we want,” says organizing committee member Christa Bagnall. “A space where everyone feels welcome while honoring the specific contributions of Indigenous peoples to this region.”
The day concludes with a community feast and round dance, inviting everyone to join in a circle that grows larger as more participants arrive. It’s a fitting symbol for a celebration that continues to evolve while staying rooted in values of reciprocity and relationship.
As the sun sets over the South Thompson River, the drumming continues. The heartbeat that began the day completes the circle, connecting past, present and future in a celebration that has become essential to understanding what it means to live in this place we now call Kamloops.
