Doig Day now in 2024 much larger than the Elders who started it could have ever imagined

DOIG RIVER, B.C. — With his black and red fleece and black ‘Grand Ole Opry’ cap, the smile could not be taken off the face of Elder Gary Attachie at the Doig River First Nation (DRFN) reservation outside of Rose Prairie.

He had seen Doig Day, the annual event celebrating the life and traditions of the First Nation, grow leaps and bounds from its beginnings 46 years ago.

With a statesman-like quality to him, he explained the beginnings of the event while countless fourth-grade students walked around. The guests included community members, industry partners, and the public.

“We used to get together with the other Nations,” Attachie said while looking at attendees. “We got together at Montney Reserve up until 1945.”

“After that time, we stopped getting together until 20 or 30 years later.”

Initially planned for late May, the event was delayed until June 6th due to the wildfire that evacuated DRFN. 

There were stations displaying aspects of the Tsaa? Che ne Dene way of life, from the skinning of animals to the tanning of the hide to make clothes, to the laughter of children playing a game of Moose Antler toss. 

Like a tour guide, Gary moved through the crowds of eager children to meet other elders, like Margret Davis.

Davis sat behind a table, carving buffalo to display on a rack behind her and teaching attendees the Indigenous process of drying meat, which involves a smoky fire.  

According to her, the first Doig Day, back in 1976, involved about 10 students and a support teacher at Upper Pine Middle School in Rose Prairie. 

“I can’t believe it,” said Davis, who was involved in organizing the first event. “We never imagined this would happen.  It’s gotten so big.  Students wait for it every year.”

The event ended with a performance that saw the youngsters dancing to the Doig River Drummers.

Attachie says travelling to Japan several years ago for a lecture, university students thought Indigenous people still hunted by horseback and shot arrows to capture food.

“That changed,” said Attachie.  “We put on this day so the next generation can learn from our experience.”

“Hopefully people enjoy it and they come back.”

To see more details about Doig Day, visit DRFN’s Facebook page.