Before acknowledging Canada Day, the City of New Westminster must first acknowledge its history of violence against the First Peoples of this land. We have come upon the one year anniversary of the announcement out of Tk’emlups te Secwe̓pemc about the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Forevermore, Canada Day will not only be a day to celebrate the privilege of being Canadian but also to remember and to acknowledge that the price of that privilege was and continues to be impossibly high to Indigenous peoples and their communities. It is our responsibility as a Nation, as a City and as citizens of this land to make reparations for that history through our ongoing commitment to reconciliation.

After initial conversations with Indigenous people of New Westminster as well as with the Residential School Survivors Society, the City has chosen to memorialize the 215 and acknowledge that growing number by incorporating Salish artwork into its Canada Day graphic design as a symbol of our commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Growing up in East Vancouver I was taught formline by Coast Salish Elders like Melany Gleason Lyall Point. Later in life I learned my Dakelh peoples style of formline. So my artistic practice is a blend of northern and southern formline styles. That being said, I used southern style trigons for this design to symbolize Canada going from coast to coast to coast. But not only Canada, Indigenous peoples. Like the trigons, we have had these land based practices and histories on every corner of this country and continent. Just as Canada goes from coast to coast to coast, so does Indigenous culture, history, and people. I know that the city of New Westminster is situated on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples. So I wanted to honour them and their care of these lands and waters with the use of contemporary southern style eyes and trigons. As we honour the styles and cultures of Indigenous peoples we also honour those who have gone before. We honour all those who perished in the residential schools. Children who perished being told that their culture, languages, and art forms were wrong and less than. By honouring Indigenous art, especially on Canada day and on the Canadian flag, it is a step in righting the wrongs committed against Indigenous children. So that no other Indigenous child, or child of any culture or identity will ever believe that Indigenous culture and traditional ways are less than.

 

Artist Statement, Randall Bear Barnetson

Randall Bear Barnetson is a multidisciplinary artist of Indigenous heritage. Randall Bear Barnetson is from the village of Nadleh Whut’en, the Dakelh nation, and of the Duntem’yoo Bear clan. Bear’s artistic practice interprets matters of modernity such as mental health and wellbeing, identity, culture, and spirituality, through the framework of Northwest Coast Indigenous art forms. Bear’s art and traditional storytelling has aided in reconciliation and decolonization efforts with settler organizations in discussing Indigenous culture and heritage. Bear was born and raised in the urban Indigenous community of Commercial drive in Vancouver BC. Bear spent years serving alongside his parents who founded a thriving mission on the 100 block of Hastings that provided essential services to over two million members of the Downtown Eastside Community. Bear’s practice is currently based on the Unceded Territories of the Musqueam Coast Salish peoples as a guest. On this territory is Vancouver’s YVR international airport, from which Bear received the Emerging Indigenous Artist Scholarship award in 2022. Bear is enrolled in his Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Bear has completed the Foundation Program thus far.

One way to reflect is by wearing orange on Canada Day in the spirit of healing and reconciliation.

Learn about what orange shirts symbolize.

Enter into the exciting world of puppetry and ventriloquism with this fun and interactive puppet making workshop. Expert Ventriloquist, Kellie Haines, will guide you in the creation of your families basic hand puppet while teaching puppetry and ventriloquism techniques to help your puppet speak and express itself. This workshop focuses on diversity while celebrating differences. Watch Kellie bring basic objects to life with voice and gesture. Please register for one space per family. Each family will make one puppet. Parent participation is required.
Lower Hume Park Picnic Shelter 604.525.7388
11:00 am - 12:00 pm       151305
12:30 - 1:30 pm                 151307
Thursday, June 30
Registration Fee: Free

Purchase a bagged picnic lunch kit to enjoy outdoors for Canada Day. The pre-packaged meal will include a 5” personal quiche, veggie sticks, an apple, drink and dessert. Choose from Spinach and Goat Cheese or Ham and Cheddar Quiche. Available for older adults 50+.

Order by phone 604.519.1066 or 
Thursday, June 30 - Pick-up at Century House, 620 Eighth Street, New Westminster.
Registration Fee: $10.00

Support local vendors while exploring the New Westminster’s Farmers Market. The market will be expanded on June 30 to include additional vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s activities and more. Purchase all of the supplies that you need for the long weekend and bring a blanket to picnic on the beautiful lawn out front of City Hall. Donations will also be accepted with all proceeds going to the Residential School Society. Please bring your cash donations to the information booth by Queens Avenue. For more information, please visit www.newwestfarmers.ca.
Tipperary Park
3:00 - 7:00 pm
Thursday, June 30
Free Event

Bring your lawn chairs and picnic to Queensborough Community Centre for an afternoon of entertainment with Andy the Musical Scientist, facepainting, balloon art and crafts. Andy (formerly of Delhi 2 Dublin) enthralls the audience with his amazing homemade inventions, (Musical hockey stick, Lego theremin, Musical skateboard) made from random reusable household items! Inspired by instruments he witnessed children making while traveling in Africa, they invoke a sense of wonder and curiosity in other cultures.

Ryall Park Band Shell
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Friday, July 1
Free Event

Enjoy live music in the park with a new local group featured every hour. Bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic and take in the beautiful views and sounds of summer featuring a variety of local musicians.

Westminster Pier Park
1:00 - 6:00 pm
Friday, July 1
Free Event

Concert Schedule

1:00 pm – Francis Henson

He released his first first-length album, Roots, in 2017 and has released an EP each year since. The first half of 2020 saw the release of his Americana-inspired album, With A Little Bit of Grace, including the popular track “Stuck Down In Paris With You.” Henson is known for smooth guitar phrasing, unambiguous songwriting, and hooks that remain in your head long after you’ve heard them. Find out more at @francishenson.

2:00 pm – Super Krystal

After many projects and much distillation, Super Krystal was born. Drawing from their vastly different influences, the four-piece fuses sounds of surf, ska, hip-hop, jazz and pop together while maintaining a general theme of traditional Balkan music. Super Krystal is a collaboration between friends fuelled by creativity and the excitement of music making. Find out more at @super.krystal.

3:00 pm – Welcoming Remarks

3:30 pm – Elliott Slinn

Join New Westminster's Poet Laureate, Elliott Slinn for spoken word and song. Artist Statement: Here is a window into what drives me and inspires me – my passion. Like many of you may have felt - when I was younger, I felt alone. I write in the hopes that others (as I did when I found poetry,) will see and feel that they’re not. Despite race, creed, colour, gender – all the things we label in separation – we’re still human. We love, we hate, we fight, we forgive, we fear, we feel – and that is what I hope you’ll connect with Find our more at @elliott_slinn.

4:00 pm – Marry Me

Rockers & Mods find common ground in Marry Me's unique style: modern alternative rock and roll. Marry Me is Danny Lovelock on guitar and vocals, Natalee Lovelock on bass and vocals, Kylan Prince on guitar & vocals, and Kenny Dietrich on drums. Making music since 2012, Danny (the punk) met Natalee (the drama queen) via ambush setup, after he met Kenny (the metalhead) at audio production school Find out more at @marrymerockandroll.

5:00 pm – Sugarfungus

For a band inspired by science, nature, and dance music, the idea of stitching pieces of different organisms together to evolve into something infinitely funkier, more brilliantly alive is an apt metaphor. With restrictions easing, SUGARFUNGUS are hopeful that their underground tendrils will soon be able to rise to the surface and break out into the light, a unique and talented bunch – now a fully formed organism ready for its arrival. Find out more at @sugarfungusband.

Join Indigenous artist James Groening for a workshop exploring Woodland Art. Woodland Art is a distinct style blending traditional legends and myths with contemporary mediums. It explores the relationships between people, animals and plants and is rich with spiritual imagery and symbolism. Families are invited to participate to learn about this Indigenous art style and paint their own piece of woodland art. Parent participation is required. Please register for one space per family.
Queen’s Park Picnic Shelter 604.525.7388
10:30 - 11:30 am 152758
12:30 - 1:30 pm 152759
Friday, July 1
Registration Fee: Free

Come start your July 1 with yoga in the park. What better good morning than with an a-ha moment. Participants should come dressed ready to go, towel or mat, and pre filled water bottle. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please note that this will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
Queen’s Park Bandshell 604.525.7388
9:00 - 9:45 am Register for 151467
Friday, July 1
Registration Fee: Free

Drum up a storm with Rhythm Resource!
Celebrating Diversity, Unity & Community together on this Canada Day, in an immersive, FUN hands on Afro-Peruvian drumming workshop for all ages. The "Cajon" is a versatile percussion instrument, originating in Peru and this workshop is the perfect introduction for all ages. Release your Rhythm in this energetic, tapping, clapping, drumming experience. Please register all participants that are 6+ years to reserve a drum. Younger children can attend, but must share a drum with a parent.
Moody Park South Field 604.525.7388
10:00 - 10:45 am  Register for course 151310
11:00 - 11:45 am  Register for course 151311
1:00 - 1:45 pm  Register for course 151312
Friday, July 1
Registration Fee: Free

Everybody can pick up a ukulele and learn how to play a song with Ginalina and her band of big-hearted musicians. No experience needed! Just choose your colour instrument, have a seat (or stand), and we'll show you the rest. Let It Be, Stand By Me, The Rainbow Connection, Blowin' In the Wind, This Little Light of Mine, You Are My Sunshine, It Takes a Village ... these are example songs that can be used to teach you the basics. Chord cards will be available in the park and colouring sheets will be free for children to take home. Have fun and try something new! A big thank you to Kala Brand Ukuleles for providing all instruments for this event. For more information about the facilitator, visit: https://kalabrand.com/pages/kala-ambassador-ginalina.https://kalabrand.com/pages/kala-ambassador-ginalina.
Sapperton Park 604.525.7388
2:30 - 3:00 pm 152897
3:00 - 3:30 pm 152898
3:30 - 4:00 pm 152900
4:00 - 4:30 pm 152901
Saturday, July 2
Free Event

Rising Tides is a site-specific, riverside circus. Join us on the banks of the Fraser River for a journey of self-discovery as the circus students break out of the monotony of isolation to explore the resilience found in the strength of community. You will experience 8 unique circus acts as you walk down the esplanade on this walking tour that starts at Quayside Park.
Presented by: Social Circus Foundation and produced by the Vancouver Circus School.
Waterfront Esplanade.

Meet at Quayside Park
12:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 5:00 pm
Sunday, July 3
Free Event

Featuring: Zox of the Forest
A family friendly concert in the park featuring Zox of the Forest, a mystical character raised in the forest. Enjoy playful songs, imaginative stories, silly skits, and crowd interaction. The Queen's Park Concert Series runs all summer long and features live performances by local musicians. To learn more about the performance lineup, visit newwestcity.ca/therestofnewwest.
Queen’s Park Bandshell
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Sunday, July 3
Free Event

Through three installations, Reconciling addresses truths attached to acts of reconciliation. Haida/Nisga’a artist Luke Parnell explores a feeling of disenchantment through his piece Neon Reconciliation Explosion; the downed statue of Judge Begbie addresses the imposition
of foreign laws on a land; and the 215 shoes placed at New Westminster’s cenotaph reflects our community’s response to the Residential School legacy in Canada.
Gallery 7 at the New Westminster Museum
Third floor of Anvil Centre 604.527.4640
CLOSED JULY 1
Wednesday - Sunday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Drop-in Fee: Free 

Celebrate Canadian wildlife July 1 - 3 at the Fraser River Discovery Centre! Learn about local ecology, engage with animal artifacts, and create your own puppet show. Join us for a fun-filled weekend featuring animals of the Fraser Basin. Visit website for more info: https://fraserriverdiscovery.org/summerdiscovery/
Fraser River Discovery Centre
July 1 - 3

Sherida Charles, Artist Statement: My recent mixed media works and acrylic on canvas paintings revolve around the realities of living and moving through an urban space. A space filled with signs, bold colour and shapes, and fleeting glimpses of incongruous imagery. There are short stints on transit and passing glances at street scenes, neon, plant displays in storefronts, leaf shapes in gardens, and the layered effect of multiple impressions in rapid succession. The scenes on transit are reflective of quick sketches to capture compositions, with the linear, primary coloured compositions recalling Mondrian for me. Depending on the daylight hour aboard the train, the shadows shift and create strong shapes. The scene and occupants constantly change in an endlessly varied, multicultural diorama. The environment of the train and buses also serves as a common denominator of humanity and represents the essence of our urban population. The colours and lines and shapes also represent an increasing concern I have with simplification and abstraction. I have painted 21 of these scenes now, in varying degrees of abstraction, but all containing the verticals, horizontals and primary colours reminiscent of Mondrian’s work. Twenty of the works are presented in this exhibition.
Learn more about the exhibit and artist at: https://artscouncilnewwest.org/gallery/
Presented by: Arts Council of New Westminster

The Gallery at Queen’s Park
July 1 - 31, 2022
Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm