The Rotary Centre for the Arts was pleased to create an opportunity for a cross-cultural day of learning for the community on the Indigenous narrative told through performing and visual art and storytelling. We welcomed over nearly 50 Indigenous artists, performers, and storytellers from across BC for an Indigenous Resilience Festival. The community was so receptive and supportive with 1,000 patrons attending the Festival throughout the day.

“The festival provided an opportunity for Indigenous individuals impacted by pandemic to explore, share, and celebrate their resilience with the public. Today’s event amplifies the Indigenous narrative and recognizes its significance by providing a creative space and presentation platform for dialogue and performance art and aims to provide a platform for Indigenous voices and perspectives to be heard and celebrated”, commented Colleen Fitzpatrick, Executive Director.

“Bringing this event to Kelowna is a huge honour,” says Community Engagement and Event Coordinator, Chelsea Boan, “Not only did the event provide a much-needed platform for the Indigenous experience, but it also strengthened relationships between communities. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support from the planning team and community members.” 

From 10AM to 9PM, the RCA was a buzz with all things Indigenous. Captivating performances on stage brought hundreds of people into the Mary Irwin Theatre, the kids-zone was full of youth creating Indigenous based art, shoppers went home with beautiful Indigenous-made items from the mini-market, and the line for Bannock Slap Burgers and Indian Tacos truck was almost around the block! Every corner of the building was full of activity. What an incredible turnout - it was truly inspiring to see over 1,000 people come through our doors to celebrate Indigenous culture. The atmosphere in the RCA was full of love. We are incredibly privileged to have been able to bring 50 Indigenous artists, storytellers, dancers, and performers, together from across BC to share their stories with us, and we are honoured that they trusted us with their stories. We cannot thank our community enough for coming out and supporting the Indigenous Resilience Festival.  

Krystal Withakay, a beloved Syilx Indigenous artist, was our emcee in the Mary Irwin Theatre, while Dani Lion, the Dakelh Dene & Secwepemc Indigi-pop and hip-hop star, was our emcee in the Sun FM Room. Emotions were high as each artist took the stage to share not only stories of resilience and joy, but also hardships and challenges. Our Indigenous communities face adversities that continue to make them as resilient as they are today, but it is crucial for those stories to be told as well. Bringing attention to their stories of suffering was key in allowing each performer to share their truth in an effort to heal.  

“Healing is a deeply personal process,” says Medicine Woman, Rochelle McFarlane of ESP Wellness Learning Center, who helped prepare the artists, storytellers, and performers for the event. “I believe this project will help foster a greater appreciation of the importance of individual approaches to healing."  

There are so many people to thank for helping make this Festival such a success. A very special thanks to Heritage Canada for their support to make this event possible. A special thanks to Shawn Bonnough and Sandy Fletcher and their team that worked with all the artists in their communities in the advance workshops to recruit, train and prepare for their presentations. Our mini-market vendors, the 50 talented artists you saw on stage, our MCs Dani Lion and Krystal Withakay, Heritage Canada, Bannock Slap Burgers and Indian Tacos, our volunteers, and our supporters - the City of Kelowna, Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort, Urban Fare, Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, Avalon Rose Botanical Skincare, Sasquatch Leather Arts, Seriously Chocolate Tea, This Space Belongs to You, Syilx Smokin Braidz, Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, and Half 9 Media. 

Post your pictures and use #IRFestival and tag @rotarycentreforthearts on Instagram to let us know you were there! 

The Rotary Centre for the Arts respectfully acknowledges that it is located on the unceded, traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan People. 

Funded by the Government of Canada. 

Financé par le gouvernement du Canada. 

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Testimonials

"I wanted to send you a note to express my personal gratitude for the work you did to host the Indigenous Resilience Festival. It was such a success in so many ways. I know that there were many staff who helped to make the event happen. I saw them at work throughout the day. However, it takes leadership and that is what the two of you offered. When I first moved to Kelowna in 2016, there was such little energy around the work of Reconciliation. I could not have imagined that in seven years such an incredible event would be hosted. Every person I sat next to whether they were Indigenous or not were having such a good time and kept expressing what a great event it was."

- Debbie, Next Steps for Reconciliation

"I wanted to take this time to congratulate all of the organizers of this most wonderful event. I was glad to be there and I was there for the duration which was 930ish till 7 p.m. Time flew! Chelsea and Sarah, a job well done! I understand events are a team effort and cannot be done without all the wonderful people who are helping. As a participant, not involved with organizing everything was fantastic! Barbara, lim limpt for the opportunity to participate in this event which will be fantastic if it can happen again next year. People in Kelowna are asking for a bigger Turtle Island Festival or a bigger pow wow which Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society doesn’t have the capacity or funds to do. This event has shown me that with committed people and funds it is a possibility. Lim Limpt."

- Freda, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society

"I just wanted to say how my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the Indigenous event on Sunday. The Hop Dance was amazing, with great overall energy throughout the event."

- Jim, RCAs Feel The Rhythm Drum Circle facilitator.

"Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity to come together and share stories with each other.  This is my first time participating and I absolutely loved it! Bringing artist together from all over collectively results in "Resilience" stories of survival and thriving. There were so many artists and storytellers, performers from every genre. Well done organizers! There are stories to be told and they were told - in every aspect imaginable! Art is alive because of your efforts and organization and for that we are thankful."

- Maria

"So much personal growth and it really pushed me outside my comfort zone. I loved watching the performers I was able to watch. My son Leroy loved it and asked if there another one in the future he can attend and possibly perform at. I feel it was well organized and the cook was amazing with the food she fed us. I felt heard and seen after I shared a little bit of my story. I want to continue to share my story and my Knowledge of stick games. I believe you're never to old or young to learn our cultures to the best of your abilities. Forever learning and growing together as indigenous peoples. We are Resilience."

- Ellen

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All photos by Billie Jean Gabriel Photography. View more photos of the event on our Facebook page.