The Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation celebrated National Indigenous Day with activities for the entire community at Eliza Archie Memorial School.
Activities included two bouncy castles, one of which doubled as a waterslide, as well as a bannock-making contest which saw students attempt to get the ingredients to make a bannock and the Amazing Rez Race - which was about teamwork and helping kids build communication skills. In addition, there was also a jewelry-making pavilion at the event, featuring an Indigenous vendor.
“We’re celebrating bringing the community together and coming back to our roots,” said Kaitlyn Dixon, the communications director of the Tsq̓ éscen̓ First Nation.
Dixon noted that several schoolchildren had attended the event, both from Eliza Archie Memorial School and Forest Grove Elementary School. In total, around 130 students from both Eliza Archie Memorial and Forest Grove Elementary schools attended.
Ty Lytton, principal of Forest Grove Elementary, said his school has been invited to participate in the event for the last couple of years.
“We like celebrating this date. So it’s really a fun day to be here at Canim Lake,” Lytton remarked.
Lytton says that the event creates opportunities for students to help build friendships between the students of the two schools.
“It’s one thing to learn about it in school, and read in books, but here, we get to be here, and that’s - there’s no better learning in place - right, and that’s a big part of the curriculum and our ability to come here and spend this day with Eliza Archie is really invaluable,” Lytton explained.
Laurelee Bennett,Tsq̓éscen̓’s CAO, said they really enjoyed hosting a fun day for the children, their families and the community.
“Connection with one another, spending time with the kids, watching their joyful presence while having fun and being on the land is all medicine for our people,” Bennett said. “Even though it takes a bit of work and many TFN staff and volunteers helping, it all comes together as a beautiful celebration.”
One of the Indigenous peoples at the event was Angela Peters, who came up to visit her home community from Kamloops. Peters had set up a booth for her business Strong Spirit, selling jewellery, car accessories and giftware.
“I wanted to come up to my community to show support and to show that it’s not only about me leaving and coming back. It’s also that we are capable of doing what we need to do to be in business for ourselves.”
Peter’s parents both attended residential schools, which caused generational trauma that affected her. To cope, she turned to alcohol, which she relied on until 2011 when she quit. She is now 13 years sober.
“So I have to learn how to work as a person and to make myself better for me - not for anyone else,” Peters explained.
To keep her spirits strong, there are several methods she has utilized.
“I have to be able to smudge myself, remember to pray for myself, sing songs that helped me with bringing my spirit back to me
