It was a day of celebration, sorrow, song and ceremony as the community gathered in Waterwheel Park on June 7 for the 2025 Indigenous Recognition Event. Organized and emceed by Raven August and presented by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society (CVCAS), the event honoured National Indigenous History Month with music, dance, storytelling and the unveiling of a powerful new public artwork.
The day began with the official unveiling of Shq’apthut (Gathering Place), a welcome arch designed by Penelakut artist Maynard Johnny Jr. The galvanized steel and glass-acrylic structure now stands at the entrance to Waterwheel Park, glowing from within after dark. Featuring herons, salmon and eagles, the piece honours thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship while urging community members to move beyond symbolic gestures toward meaningful reconciliation.
The afternoon that followed was one of joy, pride and connection.
The park came alive with the sound of drumming, singing and laughing as friends and families gathered around the bandshell for a full afternoon of performances.
The Smu’t’ugsun Smuneems from Penelakut opened the show, led by Patrick Aleck, who charmed the crowd with his trademark blend of humour and heart. The group performed a mix of traditional songs and dances, alongside original pieces by Aleck.
Aleck introduced his sister, Kellie Aleck, whose smile lit up the stage.
At one point, she continued smiling but couldn’t fight back the tears as she spoke of missing Indigenous girls, women and Two-Spirit people.
“I’m wearing this shirt today with a picture of Lisa Marie,” Aleck told the crowd. “She was from Tofino, but she lived in Nanaimo. I saw her every day when I got my coffee. She worked at McDonald’s. I didn’t know her well, but I saw her every day.”
Aleck went on to remember the events surrounding the disappearance of Lisa Marie Young.
“She went missing. At the end of this month, it will be 23 years. We were around the same age. I’m a mom now, I’m an auntie — but she didn’t have that privilege. She didn’t get to have a life.”
Patrick Aleck put it plainly after his sister’s performance.
“We don’t want any more stolen sisters.”
Another powerful moment came when musician and storyteller Ed Peekeekoot led the audience in an immersive sonic journey, describing the ancient prairie thunder of buffalo herds and then replicating the sound on guitar.
“It was like the savannah of the prairies,” Peekeekoot said. “Just full of buffalo... let me demonstrate what that might have sounded like.”
The crowd fell silent as deep, reverberating notes echoed through the park. Peekeekoot then strummed his guitar in a low, rumbling rhythm that seemed to vibrate through the ground, offering an auditory glimpse into a world before colonization.
The program also included remarks from Penelakut Chief Pam Jack, music by the Cactus Cadillacs who had the crowd dancing and singing along, a spirited performance by the Young Wolves Dance Group, and the closing performance by Peekeekoot.
Around the park, visitors browsed beadwork, medicines and knitting while kids took part in craft activities and joined spontaneous dance circles.
The Indigenous Recognition Event offered space for both joy and grief — a celebration of culture, resilience and a collective call to move forward as a community with authentic commitment to reconciliation.
