Tse’k’wa seeks volunteers, sponsors for National Indigenous Peoples’ Day

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — A national historic site as old as the Ice Age gears up for one of its largest events in June with an appeal for sponsors and volunteers.

Tse’k’wa National Historic Site will host its annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day festivities on Thursday, June 21st.

The site itself is a historic gathering place for the Dane-zaa descendants, dating back some 12,000 years.

 It was purchased by three northeast B.C. First Nations – Doig River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation and West Moberly First Nations in 2012.

It is currently overseen by the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society,  which recently won an award for Indigenous tourism at the Tourism Industry of BC Awards in Kelowna.

As many as 30 volunteers could be needed to ensure the event goes smoothly, according to Tse’k’wa Heritage Society’s executive director, Alyssa Currie.

“We are hosting National Indigenous [Peoples’] Day here at Tse’k’wa,” Currie told Energeticcity.ca. “It is a free event that is completely open to the public.  It takes a lot of support to make an event like this happen.”

“There are many individuals and companies and organizations in our community that want to be able to support opportunities like this. We have put the call out so those who are interested are able to support us and to make this incredible event possible and make it available for the public for free.”

While volunteer positions will be available during the event, Currie said a lot of legwork goes on “behind the scenes” to make it happen.

“[We have] volunteers putting up posters [and helping] set up or take down,” said Currie. “We also have volunteers supporting the event itself, with things like elder support or event photography.”

Sponsorship opportunities, such as covering the cost of a shuttle bus to Tse’k’wa from the nearby historical Charlie Lake Pub and Grill, are also available.

“All of these things are ways that we can connect with not only our local Indigenous communities, but also with our non-Indigenous friends and neighbors here in the Peace region,” said Currie.

Live music and self-guided tours of the site will also be available, and the event will be the conclusion of the 2026 archeology field school, a program run at the site in conjunction with the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).

“We are really excited that we will be able to showcase our most recent archeological finds at the event,” said Currie. “[We are] also hoping to have all kinds of really incredible free activities for the community to come and participate in.”

Tse’k’wa’s National Indigenous Peoples’ Day takes place on Thursday, June 21st at Tse’k’wa National Historic Site at 12629 Butte Lane in Charlie Lake.

To inquire about volunteering or sponsorship, call the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society at 250-224-7906.