On June 21, Jasper National Park celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Hosting the 2023 celebration were the Secwépemc (Simpcw people), or People of the River. Simpcw are part of the Shuswap Nation and have deep ancestral and contemporary connections to the land now known as Jasper National Park.

Poor weather threatened to put a damper on the ceremonies, but the rain came in short bursts and for the most part held off, allowing the full spectrum of programming to shine through.

After a pipe ceremony and prayer, Secwépemc singers rung in National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Photo: Luuk Wijk // Parks Canada

The set included a flag raising song to accompany the hoisting of the Simpcw, Secwépemc, Truth & Reconciliation and Every Child Matters flags.

Photo: Luuk Wijk // Parks Canada

Wyanne Smallboy-Wesley of the Bighorn Chiniki/Stoney First Nation set up a busy children’s activity booth.

Tiffany Bowser, a language assistant from Simpcw, brought to the artisan market a selection of medicinal herbs, which she uses to prepare tea, make salves and promote healing.

Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland shares a few moments with Kúkwpi7 (Chief) George Lampreau of Simpcw. Ireland welcomed the hosts of National Indigenous Peoples Day to the community.

“We are all mountain people,” Ireland said. “To our Simpcw hosts I say thank you and welcome home.” 

Secwépemc hunter, artist, and teacher, Ed Jensen, travelled from Tk’emlúps (Kamloops) area to Jasper for National Indigenous Peoples Day. At the Indigenous artisan market, Jensen displayed his exquisite arrowheads and knives—made from a variety of earthen materials, including Oregon obsidian, opal and jasper.

Kenthen Thomas, a Secwépemc storyteller, delighted the audience with his stories. His tale of how Coyote and Bear created the days and the nights was a particular hit among the daycare crowd.

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation artist, drummer, tourism entrepreneur and storyteller, Mackenzie Brown, was on hand with fellow Warrior Woman Laurisa Orich to take in the day’s events.

Chief Jimmy O’Chiese, Foothills Ojibway First Nation elder, reconnected with an old friend—former Jasperite Alan Westhaver—before inviting Westhaver to the morning’s peace pipe ceremony.

Photo: Luuk Wijk, Parks Canada

Jasper’s Matricia Brown, who is part of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, was one of the many vendors at the Indigenous artisans’ market for the National Indigenous Peoples Day events in Jasper on June 21.