Fraser River Indigenous Society

FRIS Women’s Group (Sage Sisters) shared an evening with Deanna Miller from Katzie First Nation on a guided walk through Kanaka Creek. Together they learned about Native plants, Medicinal plants, and Edible plants. Deanna also shared the plants that grow in the area and her knowledge about their traditional uses. 🌿

Check out what is happening at FRIS in the month of August.

Please contact the FRIS office if you would like to register or you have questions about our programs and services.

Join us on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge for a meaningful day of reflection, learning, and community as we come together to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This year's theme, Honouring the Truth: Past, Present and Future, reminds us that reconciliation is an ongoing journey—one that begins with listening, learning, and taking meaningful action.

Hosted by Katzie First Nation, Fraser River Indigenous Society, BC Spokes - Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows, and PLEA Community Services, this free, family-friendly event welcomes everyone to gather in the spirit of remembrance, respect, and hope.

Throughout the day, you can experience:

🧡 Opening march
🧡 Cultural sharing with Indigenous dancers, drummers, and speakers
🧡 Indigenous Healing Tent
🧡 Truth and Reconciliation Information & Learning Tent
🧡 Orange shirt painting
🧡 Community Art Project
🧡 More than 50 Indigenous and local vendors and artisans

Bring your family, friends, and neighbours as we honour Survivors, remember those who never came home, and commit ourselves to building a future rooted in truth, respect, and reconciliation.

We hope to see you there.

Great day spent last Wednesday at the UBC Museum of Anthropology with the FRIS staff and friends!

Thank you to the MOA Team for welcoming us with open arms for Summer Programming fun 2026.

Over the past few months, our Men's Circle has shared a meaningful journey of healing, learning, and connection.

Together, participants explored a variety of cultural teachings and hands-on activities, including creating Medicine Wheel vision boards, crafting medicine pouches, participating in a drum workshop, and attending a Sweat Lodge Ceremony. The group also engaged in many heartfelt conversations centered on caring for their spirits through nourishing food, sacred medicines, sobriety, ceremony, and community.

Throughout the program, these men stepped into important roles by supporting ceremony protocols, sharing songs on the drums they created, praying for one another during smudging, and spending time with respected Elders who generously shared their teachings and wisdom.

Our Men's Circle will be taking a short summer break until mid-August. During this time, we will continue accepting referrals for those interested in joining the group when programming resumes.

https://www.frisociety.ca/contact

Story Blanket notice for the summer season!

Please contact the FRIS office if you have questions about our programs and services.

Check out what is happening at FRIS in the month of July.

Please contact the FRIS office if you would like to register or you have questions about our programs and services.

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2026
Honouring the Summer Solstice

As we came together to honour the Summer Solstice, we extend our deepest gratitude to our community partners, PLEA and the City of Maple Ridge, for their continued support and commitment to creating spaces where Indigenous culture, connection, and community can be celebrated.

To our Elders, knowledge keepers, volunteers, artists, performers, community members, and all those who shared their time and gifts with us, we offer our heartfelt thanks. The beauty of this gathering came from the many hands, hearts, and voices that contributed to the day. Through ceremony, storytelling, music, dance, and connection, we were reminded of the importance of coming together and honouring the teachings that continue to guide us.

The Summer Solstice is a powerful time of reflection, renewal, and gratitude. It is a time to honour the gifts of the land, the strength of our ancestors, and the relationships that continue to sustain our communities. We are grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating Indigenous culture and creating a space rooted in joy, respect, and togetherness.

To the Maple Ridge community and beyond, thank you for standing with us and sharing in this celebration.

We are grateful for this day, for this community, and for the opportunity to continue honouring who we are and where we come from.

Thank you, all our relations.




We recognize the traditional territories of the Katzie and Kwantlen First Nations. We respectfully acknowledge the many nations who are represented by the urban Indigenous population in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver Area.

Get your 2026 NIPD T-Shirts 👕

Will be sold at the NIPD event at the FRIS Information Tent - Shirts can also be purchased at the FRIS Office

Teal or Brown - S, M, L, XL, 2XL
$30 Each
👉 Cash or card accepted

The NIPD 2026 Artist Spotlight celebrates Indigenous artists, dancers, and cultural knowledge keepers who continue to share their gifts, stories, and traditions with their communities and future generations. Through art, movement, and cultural expression, each featured artist reflects the strength, resilience, and diversity of Indigenous Peoples across these territories.

Join us on June 20th at Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge, to celebrate and support Indigenous Artists.