Mid Island Métis lead celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Nanaimo
500 people of all ages and backgrounds this past Sunday gathered, greeting with celebration National Indigenous Peoples Day in Nanaimo at Maffeo Sutton Park.
On a sunny Sunday, June 21st, Mid Island Métis Nation held their annual event, celebrating the day. The park pavilion hosted various speeches, singers and musical performances. President Lloyd Hogue from Mid Island Métis Nation officiated the event and spoke with CHLY before the event.
“For me, it's a day where we can as Indigenous People come out and celebrate being Indigenous. It's our day and I'm happy that we can host an event down here at Maffeo Sutton for the Indigenous community to come out and enjoy themselves. It's very important to show the community that we are here, we are Indigenous, and we're proud of it and it's nice that we get to share a little bit of our culture along with all the other Nanaimoites,” said Hogue.
Hogue has been in his role as president since November 2025. People from various First Nations and the broader community came to enjoy the event and culture featured.
Secretary of the Mid Island Metis Nation, Guy Beaulieu shared his history and thoughts on the event.
“Well, it's celebration of our heritage and my father was Métis, my grandparents were both Métis, and I'm Métis. It's just a way to celebrate our heritage … well, they're becoming more popular. I mean, lots of people who aren't Indigenous come down. In fact, I just talked with a couple here that were at our teepee that we just finished setting up,” said Beaulieu.
The event featured various booths, vendors with traditional art and gifts, as well as food trucks such as the Bannock Room, and a Métis tipi. Performances included Summer Sage and fiddle performances. Speeches about the importance of the day were also given by municipal, provincial, and federal politicians. Mayor Leonard Krog spoke to the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day.
“This is a day of celebration my friends. This is a day to remind ourselves that this country is comprised of a whole bunch of people, but the First Peoples are the ones we're celebrating here today. The Indigenous Peoples of Canada, the Inuit, and the Métis, and what they have contributed to and how they helped form this nation,” said Krog in his speech.
Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson called attention to the need of showing up for Indigenous communities beyond the event.
“That means more than just showing up. That means when we see challenges in our communities, that we confront them with the strength and courage to deliver the best Canada that we can,” said Anderson in his speech.
The Metis Nation came from the fur trade in the 17th century. European colonizers married Indigenous women, creating the Metis Nation. Since the 1982 Constitution Act, Metis are recognized in the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. Events such as Indigenous Peoples Day are a time for Mid Island Metis Nation to celebrate and bring further recognition to their culture.
“Come out to Indigenous events, not just Indigenous Peoples Day. Come out to other Nations' events, First Nations events and Indigenous events. Come check out our tables. When you see us in community, come say hi. Come ask a Métis person about their culture and where they're from. There's plenty that can be done,” said Hogue.
For more information visit midislandmetis.com.
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