Sweetgrass Arts & Music Society Presents
Indigenous Peoples
Weekend 2025
Salt Spring Island, BC · June 2025
Presented by Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society
Sweetgrass Arts & Music Society Presents
Salt Spring Island, BC · June 2025
Presented by Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society
About the Event
Indigenous Peoples Weekend 2025 marked a historic first — a pan-Indigenous celebration of culture, teachings, and community on Salt Spring Island. Co-hosted by Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society and ArtSpring, the weekend was made possible through a partnership with Jon Cooksey and Pam Tarr, with generous support from the Indigenous Priorities Fund and the Salt Spring Foundation, which provided a $3,000 grant.
The weekend brought together Elders, dancers, musicians, and storytellers from across Indigenous nations, creating a space for intergenerational knowledge sharing, ceremony, and artistic expression. A 22-foot ceremonial teepee was raised on site, serving as a gathering place for teachings and community connection.
At its heart, IPW 2025 was about honouring the enduring traditions of Indigenous peoples and building bridges of understanding on Coast Salish territory — through music, art, dance, and the simple, powerful act of gathering together.
“A gathering rooted in respect, carried by community, and held on the lands of the Coast Salish peoples.”
Cultural Programming
Performed at the Elders' Luncheon and on June 22 at ArtSpring.
Inspiring teaching at the teepee gathering.
Traditional dance, honouring ancestral ways.
Teachings and intergenerational storytelling.
Puppet show — cultural storytelling for all ages.
Co-hosted with IPW 2025 and the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust.
A 22-foot teepee raised on site for teachings and gathering.
Exhibited at ArtSpring throughout the weekend.
Partners & Gratitude
Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society · ArtSpring · Jon Cooksey · Pam Tarr
Indigenous Priorities Fund · Salt Spring Foundation ($3,000 grant)
Howard Zhang (ArtSpring) · Meghan Howcroft · Christine Penhale · Steve Martindale · The Roundtable
Paz Rainville · Queena · Waya · Wilf Davies · Steve Martindale · Lance Williams · Debra Miller · and many more
Sweetgrass Contributions
Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society provided direct financial support and in-kind contributions to make IPW 2025 possible.
Sound system provided by Wilf Davies. Teepee use and full site setup coordinated by the Society.
Organized by Sherry Leigh Williams
President, Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society of Salt Spring Island, BC