The winds of change are once again gently blowing through Langford.
Bringing the community together, the Change Makers Gathering Festival will honour the history, heritage, knowledge and diversity of Indigenous Peoples.
“It’s a fun, safe, welcoming environment for people who want to come learn, ask questions and participate to do so … as well as demonstrate Indigenous value,” said Charla Huber, event organizer and owner of Langford-based business, Indigenous Communications Ltd.
In a change to previous years, the festival is moving from Starlight Stadium to The Langford Station. It's a move Huber hopes will make the event more visible and accessible, piquing the curiosity of passersby.
For those who choose to follow their curiosity, they will find a whole array of activities and entertainment on offer.
Festival attractions will include Indigenous drum and dance groups, Coast Salish art workshops and an Elder-led cedar weaving workshop. There will also be an Indigenous artisans market, a teen zone with arcade games and performances from hip hop artists.
New this year, artist Dahlila Charlie, who designed this year’s festival logo, will be hosting a beaded art workshop and Metis dot painting stations.
“Which is an exciting way to demonstrate and honour Metis people,” says Huber.
And everything is free, including a bannock taco lunch.
“That’s something I'm really proud of,” says Huber, who wants no one to feel left out because of their financial situation.
It’s an Indigenous-lead event, bringing together Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous youth – all on hand to answer questions. And no one should feel nervous to ask what’s on their mind, says Huber. This is a “super casual” event.
“Because everyone is there under that premise of sharing and guiding … it’s a judgment-free zone,” she says.
“It's not a in-your-face kind of event, where you come and we're going to teach you stuff. It's more of an open invitation and moving forward in friendship and understanding.”
One of the more subtle ways folks learn about Indigenous culture is the taco lunch, says Huber.
After the food is served, all entertainment is paused so the people working in the kitchen can be acknowledged and thanked by everyone in attendance.
“It’s a nuance that if someone's attending, they may not see it or realize it, but it's a way of demonstrating Indigenous ways of communicating in just such a gentle way,” Huber says.
Each festival is also centred around traditional Elders’ teaching, which this year is, “Small children grow into big families.”
“Which I think is a beautiful teaching … small steps and those little things that move you forward, will grow and evolve into something bigger,” says Huber.
It’s a sentiment she has seen over the years, watching the festival grow each year.
What started small, as an opportunity for people to find out more about reconciliation, Indigenous Peoples and how they can get involved, has blossomed into an annual event, connecting community, friends and family.
“It's just a beautiful day of everybody coming together with a good heart … connecting, sharing and eating bannock tacos, like I can't think of a better day,” says Huber.
The Change Makers Gathering Festival is taking place on Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Langford Station, located at 720 Station Ave.
