Why I'm celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
The atmosphere at Trout Lake in Vancouver was lively Thursday as hundreds gathered to celebrate Indigenous culture as part of National Indigenous Peoples Day.
We asked six participants what the day means to them.
Joel Thunder came to Vancouver as a teacher with students from Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik school in Alberta.
Thunder, who is from Treaty 8 territory, said the day represents coming together in unity as a tribe and people.
"To say that we're proud of who we are, we've come along ways and we're still standing," Thunder said.
Nubia Mencia, who is originally from Mexico, said she works with some Indigenous parents as a family support worker at Aunt Leah's Place.
She came to Trout Lake to celebrate their culture, and enjoy the day with some of the program participants, including baby Delilah and her mother.
"I think it's important to make everybody aware, with all the diversity that's here, what's happening and why we are celebrating the culture and, in a way, paying our respects to the communities that were here before us."
Melanie Coon, who is from the Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta, said she comes out on June 21 every year in her regalia to answer questions and show people her culture.
"I think we are moving in the right direction. I don't care if it's at a snails pace, we are moving in the right direction, which is forward, upward and onward," Coon said.
She said everyone shares this responsibility to educate people about First Nations culture and bring people together.
Wal-aks, from Nisga'a First Nation, was at the celebration to show his artwork, using geometric lines on the loom.
He said it's a day to focus attention on the history of Indigenous people and what they've endured since colonization.
"I think it's really amazing to see Indigenous people and their allies standing together. And really honouring the Indigenous people," he said.
The festival was a chance for Paul Natrall, who is from the B.C.'s Squamish Nation, to share Indigenous food with the crowds.
Together with the Friendship Centre, his food truck helped serve up 1,500 beef or vegetarian bannock tacos.
The meaning of Indigenous day is a simple one for him; it's the first day of summer.
"Bring on the heat, right? We're ready."
It was Pooja Syal's first time celebrating the holiday. The Surrey resident moved to Canada from India a year ago.
"I think they all are from the different cultures, and we all are together celebrating their day," she said.
Syal said she's learning more about Indigenous history through her own children, who are learning it at school.
Read more from CBC British Columbia
