The Indigenous Resilience Festival
Presented by: The Rotary Centre for the Arts
Producer: Chelsea Boan-Lewis
Assistant Project Manager: Sarah Winter
The Indigenous Resilience Festival (2023) hosted at the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA), was a powerful day of cross-cultural learning, celebrating Indigenous resilience, culture, and community connection. Designed to amplify Indigenous narratives through performing arts, visual art, and storytelling, the event brought together nearly 50 Indigenous artists, storytellers, and performers from across British Columbia, drawing over 1,000 attendees who experienced an immersive journey into Indigenous culture and history.
All photos by Billie Jean Gabriel Photography
Diverse Artistic Representation: The festival showcased an array of Indigenous talents, including captivating performances on stage, visual art exhibits, storytelling sessions, and a kids' art zone, creating a vibrant atmosphere that resonated with attendees of all ages.
Engagement and Impact: Led by the voices of Indigenous emcees Krystal Withakay and Dani Lion, the event fostered meaningful dialogue and encouraged healing and reconciliation by sharing stories of both resilience and adversity.
Community Participation: Attendees enjoyed a mini-market featuring Indigenous-made crafts and a popular Indigenous food truck that added to the authentic cultural experience. The community response was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a growing appreciation for Indigenous perspectives and storytelling in Kelowna.
The festival was made possible by generous support from Heritage Canada and various local partners, including the City of Kelowna, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, Urban Fare, Delta Hotels, and Half 9 Media. Their contributions enabled the event to be a rich, immersive experience for the community and strengthened regional ties to Indigenous culture.
"This event was a remarkable milestone in Kelowna’s journey of reconciliation, bringing joy and connection to everyone present." – Debbie, Next Steps for Reconciliation
"Seeing artists and storytellers come together was inspiring and profoundly meaningful for our community." – Maria
"The festival was an empowering experience, offering space to Indigenous artists to share stories of survival and growth." – Ellen