The Whitecourt Indigenous Friends Society is inviting Whitecourt and area residents to a free Family Dance at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Faye Beauchamp, president of the Whitecourt Indigenous Friends Society, says past challenges with the weather were a big factor in deciding to move this year’s celebrations indoors.
“We’ve had a few other events go on the past couple years and its seemed to depend on the weather,” says Beauchamp. “It’s really hard to have an outdoor event when you are depending on the weather. So we decided to do something different considering it’s on a Friday and everybody likes to dance. So we thought this was something that all ages can join in on.
Organizers say free snacks (including Bannock) as well as non-alcoholic beverages will be available for attendees to enjoy, with live music being provided by Metis Country.
“It’s a local band, they have been performing in Whitecourt for many years,” says Beauchamp. “It’s a Metis band so we figured it would be a good practice to hire some Indigenous performers.”
The Whitecourt Indigenous Friends Society was founded in September of 2020, and are looking into the steps required to become part of the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association.
“We’re just looking at the paper work and getting all our ducks in a row, our I’s dotted and our T’s crossed,” says Beauchamp. “It’s a process but we’re getting there in baby steps.”
Beauchamp is encouraging everyone to come down and attend the dance, saying there may even be prizes given away during the spotlight dance.
“We traditionally give away fleece throw blankets with the Indigenous design on them, but you have to be dancing!”