This year’s Prince George National Indigenous People’s Day celebration has been officially cancelled.
Lheidli T’enneh Chief and Council have made the decision the June 21 event which has been a fixture for many years in Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park and brings together Indigenous people from many nations and communities in Central B.C.
The NIPD celebration is also appreciated by many non-indigenous people and organizations which work with the Lheidli T’enneh.
“Despite BC entering Phase 2 of the BC Restart Plan, large gatherings of people are still not supported by public health officials,” explains Dayi (Chief) Clayton Pountney.
He says B.C. has done very well in slowing the spread of Covid-19 and it makes sense to continue with that strategy enjoying restaurants and other services re-opening with safe-distance and other safety guidelines.
“While Council had to make the tough decision to cancel this year’s Prince George NIPD celebration, I know our members and other Indigenous people in our territory will find a way to celebrate their indigenous history, heritage and culture in new ways and in smaller groups,” Dayi Pountney continued.
“The fact that this year’s NIPD falls on Father’s Day gives families two good reasons to celebrate. The safety of our members and everyone else in our territory continues to be our top priority and if cancelling our NIPD celebration this year can help us achieve this objective, then it makes good sense.”
Lheidli T’enneh Chief and Council plan to reinstate the Prince George National Indigenous People’s Day celebration on June 21, 2021.
