Indigenous Village
Learn about Indigenous cultures through education, workshops, cultural sharing and contemporary performances.
PRESENTED BY
Siam Stage
Meaning “Respected Ones” in Coast Salish languages, the new Siam Stage will feature Indigenous cultural sharing and contemporary music performances.
Residential School Sharing Circles
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society have partnered with the Indigenous Village to host “Sharing Circles”. Here, the public is invited to participate in discussions with Residential School Survivors to learn first-hand about the hardships they lived through while attending the schools. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the children of the Residential School Survivors, who will share how their lives were impacted by the inter-generational trauma caused by the Residential School system.
Residential School Transformation Mural Painting with Brad Henry
We began this project at Surrey Canada Day and will complete it at Surrey Fusion Festival in Honour of Residential School Survivors and the children who never made it home.
Brad Henry is a traditional northwest coast Tlingit artist whose art can be found all around the globe.
Brad invites attendees to participate in the painting of a 20-foot mural on canvas using acrylic paints. The mural will recognize how the Residential School System impacted the lives of Indigenous people and how it takes seven generations for a Nation to heal. This initiative will bring all nations together to create a beautiful masterpiece that symbolizes healing, peace, and unity.
Learn How to Make a Ribbon Skirt using the Kokum Scarf Material
The sunflower is the National flower of Ukraine. It is a symbol of solidarity and peace. When Ukrainian immigrants settled in Canada they gifted “Cree” First Nations grandmothers with their bright floral pattern scarves. The grandmothers used these scarves to hold their hair back while hunting, skinning an animal, or chopping wood. The scarf became a necessity in the grandmother’s daily lives. The word used in the Cree language for “Grandmother” is “Kokum” and the scarves became known as the “Kokum Scarves”. These scarves are still widely used today in regalia and everyday fashion. Visit the Indigenous Village to learn how to use the “Kokum Scarf Material” to demonstrate how to make a ribbon skirt and recognize the relationship established between the Indigenous and Ukrainian people.
Indigenous Market
Shop authentic Indigenous artwork, products and crafts. Market vendors will be announced soon.
