The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society hosts the Turtle Island Festival on Tuesday to celebrate National Indigenous Day, an opportunity to learn more about the cultures, voices, history and experiences of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis . Unable to host the annual event in recent years due to the pandemic, Barbara Jagodics of the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society is excited to be back this year welcoming everyone to participate in the festivities. “The message is to celebrate Indigenous Day, the Indigenous people and to share. “This event has been created to share with everyone and to welcome everyone to our culture, so that they can experience it in a friendly and safe way,” he said. Jagodics says the all-day event, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., is packed with activities for all ages, including indigenous singing and dancing, children’s activities, arts and crafts kiosks, a business lunch and a miniature Pow Wow. “Personally, today is one of the best and happiest days. We also have Brotherhood and Spirit Day and we also have Reconciliation Day, with our second annual coming very soon. “So this day is really great because I like to share our artists,” said Jagodics. “This is one of the ways we can share as human beings how we are and what we do.” Leon Avenue is closed to traffic outside the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society during the event. “It grows every year, which is great because more people are welcome every year and feel safer to come here. “Every year more people come and ask me how I can help, how can I become a volunteer?” said Jagodics. Everyone is invited to learn more about Native Day and come together at the Turtle Island Festival. Photo: Melissa Campbell Click here to view the collection
