Just a quick thank you to all who volunteered and participated in our 25 wonderful events on 4 islands! A special thank you to our 65 Indigenous participants, representing more than 17 Tribes and Nations:
Aamjiwnaang First Nation
Ahtahkakoop Cree First Nation
Anishinaabe
Coast Salish
Cree/Blackfoot
Dene First Nation
Hawaiian Salish
Kwakiutl/Tlingit
Métis
Nuu-chah-nulth/SȾÁUTW̱
Penálaxeth’ (Penelakut)
Quw'utsun (Cowichan)
Stz’uminus (Chemainus)
SȾÁUTW (Tsawout)
Tahltan/Irish
W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip)

Thanks also to our generous financial supporters, including a Salt Spring angel donor who gave through MakeWay Foundation, the CRD (Grant-In-Aid), the Legion, the Institute for Sustainability Education & Action (I-SEA), the Salt Spring Natural Cemetery, Mouat's, Westland Insurance, the United Church congregation, Country Grocer and many individual Salt Springers. But many other organizations and businesses supported the Weekend with fresh veggies and greens, gifts, cooking, volunteering and other help - please see the logos above. And of course a special shout-out to our collaborators, Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society and Tour Des Iles, and to Penálaxeth’ Councilor Kurt Irwin and the Penálaxeth’ Tribe for the donation (and filleting!) of 20 salmon for our Elders feast!

If you haven't seen it, please read the excellent Exchange article on the event: https://saltspringexchange.com/2025/06/23/salt-spring-island-marks-transformative-indigenous-peoples-weekend-with-ceremony-culture-and-calls-for-land-back/

Also see Rob Lowrie's photos and captions on the back page of the Driftwood, and of course look at Christopher Roy's photos of Friday's teepee-raising and other events (please credit Photo by Christopher Roy) if you download: https://in.christopherroy.com/2025-indigenous-peoples-weekend/

Don't miss upcoming opportunities to participate in Indigenous-led events, including:
* INDIGENOUS MUSICAL SHOWCASE at ArtSpring, 7 p.m. on Sept 13th, put on by Sweetgrass Arts and Music and ArtSpring
* TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY EVENT at Fernwood Dock, Sept 30th, put on by the Penelakut Tribe and Hen and Hound Taste
* JOURNEY OF OUR GENERATION WORKSHOP - to be scheduled - put on by Quw'utsun Cultural Connections
* If you know of other upcoming events, let us know!

THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WEEKEND is a multi-day event to celebrate Pan-Indigenous Arts and Culture and create opportunities for settlers to explore the work of reconciliation. We'll be back in 2026, June 19-21! If you'd like to be part of organizing and finding support for IPW26, or would like to put add an Indigenous-led or co-led event, email us at jon@indigenouspeoplesweekend.com. Huy ch q'u / HÍSW̱KE / thank you!