Igbo Day takes over Fort St. John Curling Club for annual event recognizing heritage

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Members of an African ethnic group celebrated their history, culture and food at an exclusive event in Fort St. John.

Hosted by the Umunna Peace Region Association, the 2026 Igbo Day celebrations were held in the banquet hall of the Fort St. John Curling Club on July 18.

The Igbo people are native to eastern Nigeria, but are also seen in several countries in Africa, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Usually held later in the year, celebrations for 2026 were held later than last year’s event, said organizer Namdi Amazi, who added that traditional Igbo Day dates would conflict with the community’s annual harvest date.

Amazi described the Igbo people as “entrepreneurial and hard-working,” who like to “go to new places and integrate.”

“We are committed to wherever we are,” Amazi told Energeticcity.ca. “We are family-oriented people. If you look across North America, you have Ebos doing excellently in medicine, in engineering and in project management.”

“[Igbo people] are supporting and participating in the community. Generally, we are builders.”

The day began with a historical lesson about the Igbo people, starting with their ancestry and moving on to topics such as marriage, religion, politics and more.

It was led by Chukwunonso Emma-Obi and Chioma Nwanekezie, who spoke of the importance of teaching the Igbo ways to a younger generation, many of whom have lived in Canada their entire lives.

“It is something we have always known about, or we’ve grown up knowing the history of,” said Emma-Obi. “I was an important part of the activity and of the celebration, so that we would know where or how we are as a people.”

“[My children] were all born here. It is just important to know your roots and your background or the culture from which you came.”

Nwanekezie, who resides in Dawson Creek after emigrating to Canada via Halifax, agreed with that sentiment.

Nwanekezie was in traditional Igbo garments, including coral beads, which signify high society or royalty in the culture.

“Both my parents are Igbos,” said Nwanekezie. “I have a little boy now who is nine months old. We speak Igbo in our house predominantly because we want him to learn.”

“[The lesson] was  really important, especially for the kids, for us to remind them of where they are from.”

Fort St. John Mayor Lilia Hansen – given the name of ‘Adaugo’ meaning ‘a daughter of honour, or the daughter who brings honour’ a year ago – sat at a front table beside Umunna Peace Region Association president John Emejuru.

Amazi described Hansen’s support of the local Igbo community as “excellent.” 

“We are proud of what she and her team are doing in the city,” said Amazi. “We are proud to associate with her. We are entrepreneurial people. We see that in her.” 

Last year, Hansen was given a traditional title and given a traditional attire of the Igbo people. So she is not just a Canadian. She’s a Canadian Igbo woman. She’s our sister. She’s our mother. She’s our friend.”

Highlights of the event included a traditional Igbo lunch, along with a newscast translated from Igbo to English, skits involving children – including a fable about how a tortoise’s shell is cracked, and a fashion show, featuring traditional Igbo outfits.

According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 19,305 people identify as Igbo in Canada.

 Igbo Day celebrations for 2026 took place on July 18 in Fort St. John.