Food trucks, and vendors line the parking lot of the Sqwá Community Centre to celebrate Skwah First Nation's first ever Pride Day.
It’s an event that Sqwá Family Representative Jill Adrian says came together quickly.
“We held community hearings here to gauge what type of events the community would like to see in the future. One of the most popular by far, was a pride event," Adrian said.
“From the time it was proposed, to the planning and the event happening today, it was probably only about a month.”
Some of the vendors include local jewellery makers, face-painting and other community booths with appearances from United Way, the BC Nurses Association and MLA Dan Coulter.
Performances are also in the books with some language and cultural pieces with Sqwá teacher Jessica Malloway, tea with Elders, and some story time performances from Haley Adler and Miss Sharla Main Harris.
The location was also carefully chosen. Aside from it being on Sqwá community land, Adrian says they had other reasons for keeping it close to home.
“We figured any individuals who would want to protest the event wouldn’t feel as comfortable coming onto Sqwá land to do so,” she said. “Today is about bigger things.
“That’s how we roll…we’re all about the event being inclusive. We love everybody the way that they are and we want them to feel that.”
There will also be an indoor cooling centre for those who need a break from the heat.
The event runs until 8 p.m. at the Sqwá Community Centre at 615 Lower Landing Rd.
