Indigenous Resilience Festival Celebrating Indigenous Art and Culture

– The Rotary Centre for the Arts invites the Okanagan community to the Indigenous Resilience Festival, a free day-long celebration of Indigenous art and culture and resilience on Sunday, March 26, 2023. More than 40 Indigenous Elders, youths, leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs from 10 Indigenous bands across BC will share their stories, experiences, and art. Attendees can also enjoy a presenter mini-market, a fun zone for kids, food, and workshops.The Indigenous Resilience Festival offers Indigenous individuals impacted by the pandemic a platform to express, explore, and celebrate their resilience with the wider community. Various performances will be presented on two stages, including music, dance, theatre, storytelling, and visual arts, highlighting the strength and resilience of Indigenous cultures. Attendees have the opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous people and learn about the challenges they have faced and overcome. The Indigenous Resilience festival is an important expression of sharing from numerous Indigenous communities across the Province. The event amplifies the Indigenous narrative and recognizes its significance by providing a creative space and presentation platform for dialogue and performance art.”The festival aims to provide a platform for Indigenous voices and perspectives to be heard and celebrated,” says Rotary Centre for the Arts Executive Director, Colleen Fitzpatrick. “We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all attendees and to promoting reconciliation through the arts. Acknowledging the need for a more inclusive approach, it is important to shed light on the Indigenous experience that has yet to be widely shared across cultures.”Indigenous artists, storytellers, and performers will share heartfelt messages and presentations that have cross-cultural and intercultural boundaries. These presentations will be based on their values and experiences, crafted through workshops and individual coaching. The day will be a celebration of heritage and artistry, bringing together Indigenous communities from across British Columbia. Alongside their performances, many presenters will also have their crafts and services available for purchase by the public throughout the day.All ages are welcome to attend the festival. Some performances and stories may deal with mature issues which include both triumph and trauma-related experiences, therefore audience members may find the strong adult-oriented and emotionally charged subject matter to be sensitive or triggering and may not be suitable for younger attendees.Attendees are asked to RSVP. Space is limited. For more information about the Indigenous Resilience Festival, please visit the Rotary Centre for the Arts website. https://rotarycentreforthearts.com/events/special-events/indigenous-resilience-festival/This project is funded by the Government of Canada.