Indigenous communities from across the Fraser Valley came together last weekend at Mill Lake Park in a vibrant celebration that organizers are calling the most successful to date. The annual gathering, now in its fifth year, transformed the eastern shore of Abbotsford’s central park into a showcase of Indigenous music, art, and traditional knowledge.
“This isn’t just about entertainment – it’s about creating space for understanding,” explained Marissa Gabriel, a Stó:lō Nation elder who helped coordinate the cultural demonstrations. “When people experience our songs and stories firsthand, it changes something in how they see us.”
Nearly 2,000 attendees moved through the grounds throughout the day, stopping at demonstration booths where artists showcased traditional carving techniques, weaving methods, and storytelling. The crowd was noticeably diverse, with many non-Indigenous families bringing children to participate in the youth-focused activities.
Local Abbotsford resident Sarah Khouri brought her two children after hearing about the event through their elementary school. “My kids have been learning about Indigenous perspectives in class, but seeing it all come alive like this – the drums, the dancing – it makes such a difference in how they connect with what they’re learning,” Khouri said while her children participated in a cedar weaving workshop.
The event received support from the City of Abbotsford’s Cultural Engagement Fund, which contributed $12,500 toward production costs. Additional funding came from the province’s Reconciliation Cultural Outreach Program, which has expanded its support for Indigenous-led public events by 35% since 2021, according to provincial figures.
Fraser Valley Indigenous Arts Collective organized the gathering in partnership with three local First Nations. Dave Williams, the collective’s coordinator, emphasized how the event has evolved since its beginnings as a small cultural showcase.
“Five years ago, we had maybe 300 people show up. Today, we’re seeing entire school groups, seniors’ organizations, and families who mark this on their calendars months in advance,” Williams said. “The growth tells us something important – people are hungry for these connections.”
The main stage featured performances from drumming groups representing Stó:lō, Sts’ailes, and visiting Squamish Nation performers. A particularly moving moment came when youth dancers from the Seabird Island Band performed alongside elders, demonstrating the intergenerational transfer of cultural knowledge that many communities are working to strengthen.
Jason Miller, who traveled from Chilliwack with his drum group, noted the significance of performing in public spaces. “My grandfather couldn’t have imagined something like this when he was my age,” Miller said. “For him, practicing our traditions often had to happen behind closed doors. Now we’re in the middle of Abbotsford, sharing who we are.”
Food vendors offered traditional and contemporary Indigenous cuisine, with salmon prepared using traditional methods proving particularly popular. By mid-afternoon, several food stations had completely sold out – a testament to growing public interest in Indigenous culinary traditions.
Local businesses also participated, with nearby Mill Lake retailers reporting increased foot traffic. “These cultural events bring the whole community together and that’s good for everyone,” said Gurpreet Singh, who owns a café near the park entrance. “We had people coming in all day who’d never visited before.”
The Abbotsford School District partnered with organizers to develop educational materials that teachers could use before and after the event. According to district superintendent Kevin Godden, more than 400 students attended with their classes on Friday, the first day of the weekend-long celebration.
“What happens here complements what we’re trying to achieve in our classrooms,” Godden explained. “When students engage with Indigenous knowledge keepers and artists directly, it reinforces the curriculum in ways textbooks simply cannot.”
The gathering wasn’t without challenges. Parking proved difficult with the unexpected turnout, and organizers had to quickly adapt when attendance exceeded their projections. Williams noted they’ll be working with the city to expand the event footprint next year.
Representatives from the Fraser Valley Métis Association were also present, highlighting the diversity within Indigenous communities themselves. Their display of traditional Métis beadwork and sash weaving drew consistent crowds throughout the weekend.
“We’re often forgotten in these conversations,” said Christine Beaudry, the association’s cultural coordinator. “Events like this help people understand that Indigenous communities aren’t monolithic – we have distinct histories, languages, and cultural practices.”
As the event closed on Sunday evening with a friendship dance that invited all attendees to participate, Gabriel reflected on what success looks like for cultural gatherings in 2024.
“Ten years ago, we might have measured success by how many Indigenous people attended. Today, we’re measuring it by how many relationships are being formed across communities,” she said. “That’s the real work of reconciliation – not just acknowledging the past, but building something new together.”
Organizers have already confirmed dates for next year’s event, which will expand to include more participating nations from across British Columbia. The 2025 gathering is scheduled for the third weekend in June and will feature expanded programming focused on Indigenous languages and environmental knowledge.
