Halfway River First Nations’ Arbor Days to return for 2025

WONOWON, B.C. — A northeast B.C. First Nation’s event will return starting this week, as Halfway River First Nation (HRFN)  presents its annual Arbor Days.

The festival is described on an event poster as “a weekend of celebration, fun and community spirit,” and is free for all members of the public to attend. 

The idea to put together a cultural gathering was inspired by the story of Maizie Metecheah, who wanted an arbour where people in HRFN could gather, said executive assistant to HRFN council Joanne West.

 “A long time ago everybody used to gather,” explained West. “[So, council] approved to get an arbour [fundraising gathering] going. It was finished in 2024.”

Arbor Days 2024 was named after Maizie Metecheah to honour her. The festival will open with a performance by the Meander River drummers from the Dene Tha’ Nation in Alberta.

Arbor Days to the people of HRFN is more than a celebration honouring Indigenous culture. Like other events, sporting competitions will be featured throughout the three-day festival, including axe throwing and pole climbing for cash prizes.

“There will be a flag at the top of a 14-foot pole,” said West. “People climb up and if they reach the top and grab the flag, then there’s a prize at the end.”

The itinerary will include wrestling of different sorts: leg wrestling, listed as squaw wrestling, and horse wrestling, involving jousting of competitors off a stationary horse.

Indigenous hand games and horseshoe events will also be held, along with Indian bingo where competitors will receive prizes, or traditional bingo where up to $5,000 will be up for grabs.

An Elvis Presley impersonator contest will also be held as well as a talent show. A 50/50 raffle and door prizes will also take place, but entrants must be present in order to win.

Professional wood carver Ryan Cook will also be on hand, putting on a carving show for attendees.

There will also be a snack bar for refreshments, bouncy castles and a mechanical bull for attendees to ride.

Arbor Days will take place starting on Friday, July 18th at Halfway River First Nation behind the band office at 16262 Road 4 in Wonowon. Arbor Days will wrap up two days later on Sunday, July 20th.

To register for any event or to get more information, contact West by phone at 250-329-6882.

Attendees can watch all the events for free, but to enter any competition, you must register by Thursday, May 17th at 4 p.m. The event is alcohol and drug-free.