June 9, 2025
Comox Valley
Media and Community Advisory
Community invited for Nation Indigenous People Day celebrations June 21st!
K’ómoks First Nation and their community and cultural partners are inviting friends and neighbours from across the Comox Valley to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day and the unique contributions and cultures of First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities in the Comox Valley and across Canada. This FREE day-long celebration takes place on Saturday June 21st from 12 noon till 9 pm at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.
This year’s celebration includes cultural and environmental workshops, guided walks to the Tsolum River, K’ómoks culture and archeology displays, live screen printing, Youth and Elder Zones, delicious food including a traditional salmon BBQ, over 30 indigenous craft vendors, and live music from world class Indigenous artists including Siibii, Garret T. Willie, Kaeley Jade and more!
Siibii is a Montreal-based songwriter, and a mythic pop power in the making, manifesting their name’s Cree meaning – river – as a source of creative and personal empowerment. Ever-rushing, ever-flowing, the river is a force of intention, imagination and emotional cleansing that guides Siibii’s musical journey. As a queer, trans non-binary, Indigenous artist, Siibii is here to raise representation in the pop sphere for future generations to succeed. “If you don’t see yourself in the world, you might come to question whether your existence is valid,” they say. “Eenou Wen eh stahm’shaych ouh saatchiiwin: I’m ready to be seen and heard real good too. I’m proud to be proud of my heritage, love and talents, and more than willing to share them.”
Hailing from Kingcome Inlet off the coast of British Columbia, with roots in both Namgis and Tlingit First Nations, Garret T. Willie is an old soul masquerading as an uncommonly wise, weathered, witty and world-weary 25-year-old. He’s about to give rock ‘n’ roll a formidable 21st -century kick in the ass with plenty of wild, heartbreaking, and hilarious stories to share in true rock ‘n’ roll form.
The Kumugwe Dancers help facilitate respect and understanding within the local community and communities abroad through sharing the songs and dances of the K’ómoks and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples. Taking their name from the traditional Big House that sits within the heart of the K’ómoks First Nation, members of the dance troupe have been practicing and performing together since 2001
Kaeley Jade is an award-winning singer/songwriter, actor, and multidisciplinary Metis artist based in Edmonton, Alberta (amiskwaciwâskahikan). Under the sweeping gaze of Edmonton’s prairie skies, Jade has carved out a space where art and soul converge. Blending folk, pop and indie rock, Kaeley’s lush imagery, stunning vocals, and electric stage presence have enthralled listeners at hundreds of venues and festivals across Canada and earned her a Canadian Folk Music Award, Western Canadian Music Award Nomination, and Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Award.
Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, artist and story-teller, Ed Peekeekoot is a skilled and seasoned performer. He has a timeless kind of cool that appeals to audiences of all ages. Ed’s performances go from blazing guitar work to foot stomping fiddle and haunting Native flute – all sprinkled with his Cree humor and philosophy.
The Joyful Jiggers–Abigail Porttris and Piper Bresser–are two high energy Métis youth that share their love for Métis jigging with audiences in Greater Victoria and beyond. Both dancing since the age of four, Piper and Abi bring passion, enthusiasm, and a deep love for sharing Métis culture to their performances.
Cultural Partners for this year’s celebrations include Kumugwe Cultural Society, Queneesh Indigenous Community Society, Wachiay Friendship Society, MIKI’SIW Métis Association, Manidoo Waabiwin An Cultural Society, and Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry.
Volunteers are still welcome for this year’s celebration, with a special meal for all volunteers provided by Lush Valley! The volunteer sign up, event details, workshop and stage schedules, community and local government sponsors can be found at www.komoks.ca/NIPD2025.
Media contact:
250 339 4545
Photos:
Siibii
Garret T. Willie
The Kumugwe Dancers
Kaeley Jade
Ed Peekeekoot
The Joyful Jiggers
