A brand-new cultural celebration is launching in Terrace this month. The X’maay Festival, hosted by the Gitlaxdax Sayt Kilim Goothl Nisga’a Dancers, will take place July 25th to 27th at the Terrace Sportsplex.
“X’maay” is the Nisga’a word for berry and the name of the month tied to the summer harvest. The festival honors that tradition with Indigenous food, songs, and stories—while bringing together people from across the Northwest.
Business manager Nikki Villeneuve says it’s the group’s first time hosting an event like this. “It’s about healing, inclusivity, and passing on our culture,” she says.
Visitors can expect performances from ten Indigenous dance groups, cultural workshops, a tribal picnic, and family-friendly activities like face painting and clan games. Elders and youth are both playing key roles in organizing the festival.
The event is free and open to everyone. Organizers are inviting all nations to join the celebration and connect through culture, language, and tradition.
Listen to CFNR News interview with Nikki Villeneuve.
