Family, friends and culture celebrated at Halfway River Arbour Days

WONOWON, B.C. — Early summertime heat and loads of excitement welcomed visitors to Halfway River First Nation’s (HRFN) 2026 Arbour Days.

Now in its third year, the three-day event, which wrapped up on Sunday, June 14th, in Wonwon, was packed with lots of sunshine.

The event began with an idea from the late Maizie Metecheah, who desired to build an Arbour now located on the reserve as a gathering place so visitors and the nation could assemble to learn and share.

Several participants wore purple t-shirts with Metecheah’s name, commemorating the first event in 2024.

HRFN assistant to the council, Joanne West, said she was happy about the warmth after the event suffered through heavy rainfall a year ago.

“It is a really special event,” said West, after taking in a hand games match on Sunday, June 14th. “Each year it gets bigger. All in all, there are a lot of people [and] a lot of events that happen throughout the weekend.”

The final day featured championship matches to determine hand game winners as well as horseshoe contests, in which even HRFN chief Darlene Hunter was busy taking part.

There was also a talent show, 50/50 contests, bingo, axe-throwing and more held throughout the weekend, with winners of each event announced at the event’s conclusion.

She told Energeticcity.ca that, in between throws, the event is not just about sports or games, but just being together.

“[Metecheah] was really about culture and language,” said Hunter. “We are trying to bring the culture back to the community. We have many family and friends coming together. It is what Maizie was all about, bringing people together.”

Bobby Jackson, an HRFN Elder, was Metecheah’s son-in-law. He noted the importance of showing younger generations the culture of Arbour Days year-round.

“[Metecheah] wanted to keep our culture going, our people going,” said Jackson. “She liked bingo, so we played that.”

“It is the youth who is learning from this. That was her wish, for everyone to get together. It’s what she wanted to carry out her wishes for our community. “

Arbour Days 2026 took place from Friday, June 12th, to Sunday, June 14th, at Halfway River First Nation near Wonowon.