Inaugural Family Jamboree taking place in Charlie Lake

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The 2024 Family Jamboree will take place from June 21st to 23rd in Charlie Lake. (Peace Region Metis Community Association, Facebook)

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — The B.C. Metis Federation, in partnership with the North Peace Metis Community Association and Old Fort Metis Nation, has announced the dates for the inaugural Family Jamboree.

“Family Jamboree 2024: A Metis Cultural Gathering and Music Festival” will take place in Charlie Lake from June 21st to June 23rd.

The family-friendly festival aims to create a safe space to share Metis culture through kinship and embracing moments to “heal our souls and feel the rhythm in unity,” according to a release.

“We will include reconciliation into the festival by removing barriers and creating a dialogue around repairing relationships, building up and empowering ourselves as a northern community and inviting the entire region to join us,” said the release.

Keith Henry, president and CEO of the B.C. Metis Federation, says the organization is pleased to support this cultural gathering, which will coincide with National Indigenous People’s Day.

“BC Metis Federation leaders recognize the importance of supporting our Metis culture first,” said Henry. “This is why we are one of the major sponsors for this upcoming gathering.”

The three-day gathering will feature community engagement, a Metea party, grocery bingo, music, kids’ activities, smudging and other ceremonies, and traditional Metis games.

Other attractions include opportunities for attendees to learn traditional jigging, broom dancing, and Metis fiddling.

“Historically, Metis people were identified as having a joy of life attitude, expressed in our unique forms of dance, song and music,” said the release.

Bizzybody, a locally owned and operated company specializing in training and business development, will be one of the sponsors of the event.

“It’s an honour to bring the Family Jamboree to life in 2024 for the first time in our region,” said Bizzybody CEO Jocelyn Eisert.

To learn more about the event, visit the Family Jamboree Facebook page. For sponsorship inquiries, call Bizzybody at 778-576-1230 or email peaceregionmetisca@gmail.com.