The Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke celebrated culture, language and creativity with a new festival, set to recur annually.
The first Indigenous Artisan, Creator and Fashion Gathering took over the Revelstoke Seniors Centre Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival included artists and creators from across Canada, cultural performances, youth activities and a celebration for all babies born between Saturday, June 21, 2025 and Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Elder Randy Williams, Secwépemc Knowledge Keeper and Delreé Dumont, event organizer welcomed Creeative Bead Work artist and mother Cree Ashley James and baby Tucker Jesse James Bogue during the Saturday mothers and babies honouring ceremony.
“It’s always an honour to welcome the new member to family, to the clan, to the circle and to Mother Earth herself,” Williams told attendees.
Dumont, pointillism artist and president of the Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke championed the event’s opportunity to showcase a range of artists coming to Revelstoke.
”It’s always been my mandate to share the beauty of our culture and our traditions,” she said, explaining that shows and gatherings like the Indigenous Artisan, Creator and Fashion Gathering provide a chance to exhibit evolving culture artwork.
“A lot of [art] is always handed down from generation to generation,” she said.
As an Indigenous artist from Onion Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Dumont knows how unique the event is for First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists and creators. While larger communities such as Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc host festivals that bring in hundreds of dancers, Dumont envisions Revelstoke as a growing hub of local and visiting Indigenous creators.
“I’ve heard other Indigenous people here say, ‘where’s our people here?’ and it’s time to build that,” she said.
Events like the Indigenous Artisan, Creator and Fashion Gathering also offer a chance to showcase how Indigenous arts continue to evolve, pulling from other cultures and techniques, Thrones Woven artist Brent Joly from Cree Nation of Chisasibi said.
“We can experiment and move into the future while always being thankful for the traditions that helped us have that opportunity,” he said.
Joly was invited to the gathering by Dumont, the two meeting through previous artist markets. His flat and 3D woven lanterns with lights entwined merge the techniques of dreamcatcher weaving and crocheting Joly learned from his grandmother.
“Having two cultures bridged and stepping forward on a positive foot, despite all the awful things that have happened in the past, I think it’s important,” Joly said.
Residents and visitors alike have shown an increased interest in supporting the Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke and local Indigenous nations over the years, she added.
“Most people are really interested in learning.”
That willingness to learn was highlighted as well by Revelstoke Mayor Gary Sulz during his opening speech.
“Sharing your art is sharing your history and tradition so that I and others can learn,” Sulz told artists and creators. “May this weekend be one of renewal and blessings for all.”
With support from Emcon Services and Tourism Revelstoke, Dumont said she feels encouraged by the way larger organizations and businesses are showing up for the society.
“Come out for the connection, come out for the community, come out for the creativity,” she said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include quotes and photos from the event.
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