Abbotsford’s artistic community is getting back to its cultural roots for Selxwi:chel Arts and Culture Day on Sunday, June 8.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trethewey House Heritage Site, 2313 Ware St.

The free family event offers guests a chance to immerse themselves in Indigenous art, culture, history,and traditions.

Attendees will have an opportunity to watch local Indigenous artists create their own work and purchase Indigenous-made items directly from the artists. 

The event also features performing arts, such as dancing and drumming.

Stó꞉lō storyteller Sonny McHalsie (Naxaxalhts’i) – a cultural adviser and historian who has been featured in documentaries for CBC, Knowledge Network, APTN and Omni TV – will be on hand.

Activities also include a drum-making workshop, cedar-cuff making and hair-braiding workshops. As well, the Wingerz food truck will be on site.

The week following features an art show with Indigenous artists from the Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass arts collective.

Tara-Lynn Kozma-Perrin and Tery Kozma created Aboriginal Arts and Culture Day in 2016. The event was re-branded in 2024, and since then the event planning committee has become its own B.C. society, Selxwi:chel Arts and Culture Events Society.

Maryanne Landrie, the event’s coordinator and chair of the newly formed society, said Abbotsford’s name in Halq’eméylem is Selxwí:chel, which means “the middle of three.”

This is this is where three Indigenous communities – Semá:th, Máthxwi and Nooksack – meet geographically.

“Our event is also meant as a bridge builder between the three Indigenous groups First Nations, Métis and Inuit so, again, we see three come together,” Landrie said.

Selxwi:chel Arts and Culture Day is open to everyone and is hosted in partnership with Heritage Abbotsford Society and the City of Abbotsford.