Peace Region Métis Community Association to host second Family Jamboree

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Two days of fiddle-playing and Métis culture is in store for local residents during the first weekend in June.

The second-annual Family Jamboree will take over the Fort St. John Seniors Hall on June 6th and 7th, offering a slice of Métis life and music throughout the event.

Notable changes for 2025 include the change of venue: last year, the event took place at Charlie Lake Community Hall.

Event co-organizer and Peace Region Métis Community Association board member Jocelyn Eisert says both the Seniors Hall and the Royal Canadian Legion in Fort St. John were considered.

She hopes the event will become as popular as the Skeena Valley Country Music Festival, another Métis event celebrating its 12th year in 2025 near Terrace.

“We think we’ll get a little bit more foot traffic in the urban community,” said Eisert. “It eliminated some of the seniors in the community to come because they didn’t have access to transportation out there.

“[This is] an opportunity for families to come together to embrace culture. Dance a little bit. Play some bingo, win some prizes.”

Fiddling, bingo and other activities will be featured as part of the event, including traditional dancing known as ‘jigging,’ said Eisert.

There will also be face painting, food, vendors, bingo and a silent auction during the gathering.

A Friday evening dinner and Saturday pancake breakfast will also be provided for attendees.

“Jigging and music are probably the two main cultural entertainment activities that the Metis people have done,” said Eisert. “When you’re talking about the fiddle, it’s not just the fiddle in the music, but it’s the dancing, and the square dancing and learning the steps.”

Admission is by donation.  While funds raised during the event will help to cover costs, additional revenue from the gathering will benefit the Peace Region Métis Community Association’s youth and women’s programming.

In addition, instead of hour-long bingo games in 2024, attendees will play in 15-minute intervals between musical numbers.

The event will be emceed by Art Napoleon, a member of Saulteau First Nations and host of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network cooking show Moosemeat and Marmalade.

Napoleon’s band, the Smokehouse Jacks, will headline the second night of festivities.

“Doors are open for everybody. And if you can’t afford to give a donation, just come and embrace the culture,” said Eisert.

The second annual Family Jamboree kicks off on Friday, June 6th at the Fort St. John Seniors Hall at 10909 100th Street from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Festivities will continue on Saturday, June 7th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. More information about the Jamboree can be found on the Peace Region Métis Community Association’s Facebook page.