Powell Street Festival

August 5 & 6 powellstreetfestival.com

The 47th Annual Powell Street Festival runs this August 5-6 from 11:30am-7pm. This free two-day celebration of Japanese Canadian art and culture in Oppenheimer Park and the surrounding Paueru Gai area presents a spectrum of events and entertainment for all: from live performances to a Japanese food and craft marketplace to traditional elements and exciting Powell Street Festival touchstones. All events are free.

Brigade Days

August 5 to 7 parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/activ/ calendrier-calendar

Every year in August, Fort Langley would traditionally prepare itself for the arrival of the fur brigades. These groups of men would transport fur bales from up in North B.C. down through the mountains to the Fraser River and end at Fort Langley. Experience BC’s early history at Fort Langley National Historic Site’s Brigade Days celebration. Explore the encampment of re-enactors showcasing the Hudson’s Bay Company era as they swap stories, play music, and show off traditional skills. Indigenous presenters will share their knowledge throughout the day.

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

September 30 | orangeshirtday.org

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.” The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. On September 30, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of survivors of residential schools.