It can be difficult, being Aboriginal in an urban space, to connect with culture and feel a sense of community centered on your heritage. That's why events like the one held on National Aboriginal Day at the Bridgeview Community Centre are so important and impactful!
Bridgeview, a neighborhood in Surrey, is home to a large population of Aboriginal people, and can feel quite isolated for some. The Bridgeview Community Centre, in collaboration with the City of Surrey, saw an opportunity to bring local residents together to build a sense of community and to learn about Aboriginal culture. Not only that, but this event marked the first National Aboriginal Day celebration hosted within the City of Surrey!
The activities on offer included arts and crafts, smudging demos, obstacle course, traditional dancing and drumming, as well as a bannock demo, a free community BBQ, and many others!
The event was incredibly well received, with greater than anticipated numbers (over 750 attended in total) with people traveling from Vancouver, New Westminster, Abbotsford and others to attend!
Those that attended said that bringing the resources, both cultural and otherwise, to them and their neighborhood was incredibly important in allowing them to participate, as often cultural events happen far away from Bridgeview.
In their own words: "Many families said that having the resources brought to them for the event was essential in creating and making connections to continue with their growth and development both culturally and with regard to Health & Wellness."
The event organizers noted that the funding provided by the FNHA was integral to putting on the event, stating that: "the grant that FNHA provided for the event was essential in keeping the event free for the community and in allowing us to invite such a wide variety of elders and participants to help educate and provide resources for families."
Connecting Aboriginal people living in the city to their culture is incredibly important, and the FNHA is proud to have had a role in such an amazing event! We look forward to seeing what the Bridgeview Community Centre has in-store for next year!
