Indigenous Peoples have a rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity that has shaped the Canada we know today.
That fundamental truth will be on full display at Starlight Stadium in Langford on Saturday, June 8 when the Change Makers Gathering Festival opens its doors to the community for an afternoon of games, cultural events, food and fun.
The free event is offered to the entire community to honour Indigenous culture, values, and history. It also recognizes the invaluable and generous guidance of Indigenous knowledge keepers who are helping to make the event happen.
Charla Huber, an Indigenous relations and communications consultant and organizer of the festival, was a driving force behind the creation of the Change Makers Gathering Festival. She said the event shares Indigenous knowledge in a safe place.
“A key part of reconciliation is about people educating themselves (about Indigenous people) and this festival is an opportunity for people to come and participate. It’s a chance to learn and to have fun.”
Huber credits the participation of a dedicated group of volunteers and the generous support of sponsors for the event’s success.
This year’s festival is sponsored by Langford Fire Rescue, Metchosin Fire Dept., Sc’ianew Cheanuh First Nation, the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre Associates, FortisBC, Keycorp, the Indigenous Prosperity Centre, West Shore Parks and Recreation, Charla Huber Indigenous Communications, the Province of BC, the City of Langford and the Goldstream Gazette.
“It is such an honour for the City to host the Change Makers Gathering Festival for the third year in a row,” said Scott Goodmanson, Mayor of Langford. “Council has committed to take action towards reconciliation by working to implement the actions specific to local government as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. This event aligns with our priority to collaborate with Indigenous partners and celebrate Indigenous culture.”
Festival attractions will include educational and artistic features, including an Elder-led cedar weaving workshop with two Coast Salish artists – one doing Coast Salish collage and design, and the other drawing and painting.
There will be several Indigenous artisans on site as well and, in another area of the festival, teens will be able to paint their own skateboard decks (perhaps incorporating what they’ve learned about Indigenous art). The decks and paint will be provided free of charge.
Of course, no festival would be complete without entertainment: the Change Makers Gathering Festival will welcome an impressive collection of Indigenous drum and dance groups and, at 1 p.m., there’ll be a performance by hip hop/rap artist Stax.
Food is also a part of every festival and again, the festival won’t disappoint.
“We’ll have a free Bannock taco lunch for people to enjoy. That’s a modern Indigenous food and it’s delicious,” Huber said.
The very fact that the event has been organized in a way that provides food, entertainment and activities free of charge is indicative of the Indigenous culture that is being celebrated.
“This is all part of Indigenous values and culture. It’s a gift to the community and (in Indigenous culture) a sign of wealth has always been measured in what you give away, not what you keep,” Huber said.
“It’s an important, valuable event for everyone and we’ve worked really hard to create something for the whole community. And it seems to have worked since we get a whole cross-section of the entire community coming out and participating.”
The sixth annual Change Makers Gathering Festival takes place at the Starlight Stadium in Langford and will run between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For more info, visit langford.ca/changemakers.
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