National Indigenous Peoples Day
Jasper National Park
Location: Robson Park, Robson Street – Jasper, AB
Date: June 21, 2023
Time: 9:30 am to 4 pm
This year, Jasper National Park is honoured to partner with Simpcw, People of the River, as hosts of the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration!
The Símpcwemc (Simpcw people) are part of the Secwépemc, or Shuswap Nation and have deep ancestral and contemporary connections to the land now known as Jasper National Park. Simpcw will be generously sharing their culture through community songs and dances, artisan vendors, as well as plant, language and traditional skills workshops.
Whether you live in Jasper or are visiting the park, all are welcome to join in this day of celebration.
Calendar of events
| Time | Events | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 am | Pipe Ceremony & Prayer | Lead by Simpcw and Bighorn Chiniki Stoney Nation |
| 10 am | Flag Raising Ceremony |
|
| 10:45 am | Opening Remarks |
|
| 11 am - 4 pm | Indigenous Artisan Market | *See below for a list of vendors |
| 11 am - 4 pm | Cultural Knowledge Workshops | Language, plant medicine and children’s activities (all ages). Registration begins at 11 am. *See below for a list of workshops |
| 11 am | Secwépemc Storytelling by Kenthen Thomas | - |
| 12 pm | Secwépemc Songs and Dances |
|
| 1 pm - 1:30 pm | Bear Dancers | - |
| 3 pm | Cree Hand Drum Songs | Frank Roan (Mountain Cree) and Shelley Calliou (Kelly Lake Cree Nation) |
| 4 pm | Closing Remarks and Secwépemc Farewell Song | - |
Indigenous Artisan Market Vendors
- Simpcw First Nation Community Members
- Elder Iyleene Joachim, Kelly Lake Cree Nation
- Elder Louise Joachim, Kelly Lake Cree Nation
- Lisa Minchau, Kelly Lake Cree Nation
- Emily Bequette, Kelly Lake Cree Nation
- Karen Knott, Kelly Lake Cree Nation
- Lauren Moberly – Fallen Mountain Soaps, Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada
- Matricia Brown, Warrior Women Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
- Mountain Cree Community Members
- And more!
Cultural Knowledge Workshops
- Children’s Activity with Wyanne Wesley-Smallboy, Bighorn Chiniki Stoney Nation
- Plants and Medicines with Rae Bowser, Simpcw
- Secwepemctsín Language Learning with Rae Bowser, Simpcw
- Secwepemc Traditional Fishing Methods with Rae Bowser, Simpcw
- Flint Arrowhead Demonstration with Ed Jensen, Simpcw
- Ortho-Bionomy Demonstration with Laurian Gladue, Student of Ortho-Bionomy, Kelly Lake Cree Nation
- Foothills Ojibway First Nation Cultural Knowledge Workshop: hereditary lineage, kinship relationships and our relationship to Jasper with Chief Jimmy O’Chiese, Foothills Ojibway First Nation
Information displays
- Parks Canada
- Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archives
- Rotary Club of Jasper & Jasper Municipal Library
A big thank you to all involved
- Date modified :