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Aboriginal festivities continue in Langley this weekend

A full day of activities are on tap at Douglas Park this Sunday.
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A family pitched their tent inside the walls of the Fort on Saturday, as part of the Learn to Camp program. They were one of 120 who attended, also having a chance to enjoy the Aboriginal Day festivities that spanned both Saturday and Sunday. (Fort Langley National Historical Site)

Langley’s national Aboriginal Day celebrations will bring cultural sights, sounds, and stories to the Spirit Square stage in Douglas Park this Sunday, June 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society are helping host the celebration, sharing aboriginal teachings, cultural presentations, and a variety of free family activities and aboriginal vendors.

Last weekend’s events

At least 1,600 people attended the Fort Langley National Historic Site last weekend, to be part of the Aboriginal Day festivities, not to mention 120 participants registered in their overnight Learn to Camp program.

Members of the Kwantlen First Nation, on whose traditional territory they gathered, perform a welcome song to kick off both days.

The Kwantlen were the main trading partners when the Fort was a Hudson’s Bay Company post between 1827 and 1886.

Fast forward to 2017, and Parks Canada and indigenous peoples are work together to develop interpretive materials and activities at national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas – including the Fort.

Parks Canada invites people to visit the historical site, among other properties, to experience indigenous cultures, traditions, and customs.

“In doing so, Parks Canada said it creates new opportunities for learning and better understanding of indigenous cultures and histories in Canada.

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Kwantlen First Nation’s Richard Fillardeau demonstrated traditional weaving techniques during the Fort Langley National Historical Site’s Aboriginal Days this past weekend. (Fort Langley National Historic Site)


Roxanne Hooper

About the Author: Roxanne Hooper

I began in the news industry at age 15, but honestly, I knew I wanted to be a community journalist even before that.
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