Fun, culture and the future of Prophet River First Nation on the agenda as Treaty Days celebrates half-century

PROPHET RIVER, B.C. — People enjoyed the warm weather and being with family as Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) welcomed everyone to its 50th annual Treaty Days celebration.

Celebrating the Treaty 8 agreement and fostering friendships both within and outside the Indigenous community, the event first began in 1975.

PRFN Chief Valerie Askoty told Energeticcity.ca that Treaty Days is a “celebration of our culture and our traditional ways.”

“It really is a way to unite our people together,” said Askoty. 

During the sunny Saturday, there were archery competitions, traditional craft workshops, a moose calling event, handgames and a songwriting session with the night’s concert headliner Desiree Dorion.

Treaty Days was attended by members of other Nations, including from Saulteau First Nations (SFN), Doig River First Nation (DRFN) and Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN).

“I haven’t been here in a while,” declared Art Napoleon – a self-described “Renaissance man” who is a former Chief of SFN and was the host of the popular cooking show Moosemeat and Marmalade.

Napoleon headlined the event’s first night on Friday and was set to perform some songs on Saturday as well.

“I was here a long time ago,” said Napoleon. “They were situated by the highway and it was very tiny.

“I am really impressed with what it looks like now, with all this infrastructure and this beautiful site for this cultural event.

“I understand the Chief wanted to make this very special.  [We are] thinking of the former people that led the way, and honouring them. I’m happy to be invited here.”

Main events included Indian bingo, where participants gather in a circle surrounding a pool of prizes ranging from appliances to board games and toys.

To play, a set of dice is passed around. When doubles are rolled, the participant has to grab a prize. Once all the prizes were taken, the game continues, but if someone rolls a double, they have the opportunity to steal, with a set time to decide which prize.

One participant, a member of FNFN who asked not to be named, described the game as “chaotic” and said it can get “pretty competitive.”

Askoty said this year’s Indian Bingo had 140 participants.

A tug of war with men’s, women’s and children’s divisions was also staged, with a chance at a $2,000 first prize for the adults and $500 for youth up to 14.

“I was confident,” said Maranda Tsakoza, whose team fell early in the women’s division. “I wasn’t wearing my flip-flops.

“I thought I had a better chance if I didn’t wear them, but no.”

In addition to artisans, food trucks and Indigenous culture, was a glimpse of the future of PRFN at the event. 

The Nation has been working closely with consulting firm McElhanney about election codes, membership codes and additions to both the Reserve land obtained earlier this year and Urban Reserve space in Fort St. John.

Colton Kirsop from McElhanney was on hand at Treaty Days to speak about those objectives.

“We’re doing engagement to hear from members what they think would make a valuable addition to the land,” said Kirsop.

Kirsop added there will be an update about the Urban Reserve land – in the area of 86th Street and 101st Avenue – before the end of the year following engagement with the City of Fort St. John.

The 50th annual PRFN Treaty Days started on Friday, August 22nd and wraps up on Sunday, August 24th.