Indigenous Peoples Day offers culture and entertainment
By Lethbridge Herald on June 21, 2025.
Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The City of Lethbridge will be hosting a feast along with various types of entertainment and vendors at the Agri-Food Hub today from noon until 7 p.m. to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The day was created in 1996, when then-governor general of Canada, Romeo LeBlanc, proclaimed June 21 would be recognized as National Aboriginal Day. In 2017 the name was updated to National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The day falls on the summer solstice, which is a significant day in Indigenous cultures across the nation.
Echo Nowak, Indigenous relations specialist for the city, says the day is about understanding and learning about Indigenous people.
“We want people to understand us and learn more about us; we are also the first people here, so for everyone to get to know us, but also for our own selves too, to be unified and to celebrate our rich heritage that’s been lost.”
This is the second year the City of Lethbridge has hosted this event, with last year being in Galt Gardens as a tribute to the rich history the Blackfoot people have with the park.
“Up until 1960, we actually weren’t allowed in the City of Lethbridge,” says Nowak. “we needed a pass to come into town through the Indian Agents, so where we were allowed to be and where we were allowed to gather was Galt Gardens, so it has a lot of historical significance for us.”
Due to the expected inclement weather, organizers decided to move the celebration indoors, as they didn’t want to cancel. With a tight turnaround, the Exhibition made it possible for the celebrations to commence.
In only its second year, there are more than 50 vendors, which is a huge growth from the handful of vendors that took part last year.
Nowak says it’s proof how much Indigenous people want to be seen and heard and how the spirit of reconciliation is alive and well within the city.
“It shows who much we want to be seen; we want to be heard and it also shows how much from the non-Indigenous community that they want to learn.”
Many Indigenous people are looking forward to celebrating their culture as well as feeling a sense of community with each other.
Tysun Tallman, a Blackfoot personal trainer in Lethbridge, has used his culture to help support others on their wellness journey, but believes collaboration of cultures is what days like today are about.
“It’s a call to action for all the different cultures and backgrounds to share their own take on being here and sharing space (With each other),” he says.
Alvin Mills, another Blackfoot resident in Lethbridge, says the day is to help bridge the gap between cultures.
“It’s a day to recognize the Indigenous people of Canada and to bridge the gap between the non-Indigenous and the Indigenous.”
While many Indigenous people are excited to celebrate and create a sense of belonging, they emphasize the importance of having the spirit of reconciliation throughout the year.
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