The Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke is celebrating culture, language and creativity this month with a new festival, set to recur annually.
The first Indigenous Artisan, Creator and Fashion Gathering will take 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 includes 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.
Delreé Dumont, pointillism artist and president of the Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke is championing the 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.
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.”
With support from Emcon Services and Tourism Revelstoke, she said she feels encouraged by the way larger organizations and businesses are showing up for the society. It is Dumont’s hope that the Indigenous Artisan, Creator and Fashion Gathering receives the same excitement as other local festivals.
“Come out for the connection, come out for the community, come out for the creativity,” Dumont said.
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