By Jaimie Sumner, PPP Operations Coordinator
Yes, we are still planning for a great big beautiful One Wave Gathering this Fall!
In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to connect with each other, find strength in our cultures, and practice solidarity. These goals are central to us at Pacific Peoples’ Partnership and to One Wave Gathering, our main annual event.
Held each year on Lekwungen territories in Victoria, B.C., One Wave is an award-winning event series celebrating Indigenous and Pacific culture, knowledge, and arts. One Wave is about getting together, sharing traditions, and building relationships across cultures. It’s a month-long gathering full of smiles, learning, good conversation, and of course, lots of socializing! And even though we don’t know what social protocols will look like this September, we are committed to bringing you One Wave again – rain, shine, or online!
Whatever the case, there are a few certainties you can count on for One Wave Gathering 2020. The first being – you are invited! Whether in person or virtually, we are excited to offer this event to all who want to learn and share Pacific and Indigenous cultures. All events will be free throughout the month of September. As always, One Wave will feature vibrant cultural presentations, creative works by master and emerging artists, and meaningful opportunities to participate and engage with people of diverse cultures.
Our main event is usually a large public gathering in downtown Victoria, alive with visual art, theatre, and dance; knowledge-sharing by local cultural leaders; food and games; and participatory activities for the whole family. Highlights from last year were local dances from Pearls of the Pacific and Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations, a staging of Roy Henry Vickers’ Peace Dancer with local theatre groups, and illuminating talks by cultural ambassadors such as master carver Joe Martin.
We are hoping dearly to hold our main gathering in person this year, as we love to see your wonderful faces! We also have a great roster of other events planned for this year, including screenings of films by local Indigenous youth and established Pacific filmmakers, pop-up galleries throughout the city, dialogues at the University of Victoria’s First Peoples House, and PPP’s 45th birthday party – yes, we’re that old! That said, if we can’t meet in person this year, we are preparing to bring the gathering into your living room by hosting our events online. Stay tuned for updates.
We have been honoured to host One Wave for the past 12 years on Lekwungen territory, and we are so grateful to the local Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ communities and the Pacific Islander diaspora for their support of One Wave over the years. This gathering of cultures could not exist without your permission, guidance, and participation. One Wave is also made possible by many other amazing partners, including MediaNet, CIRCLE, and the City of Victoria, as well as, of course, our participants and guests!
We welcome input from as many Pacific and Indigenous voices as possible in designing One Wave, and we invite volunteers, artists, and participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to help make each gathering happen. If you would like to help with One Wave 2020, now is the time to get in touch at operations@archive.pacificpeoplespartnership.org. We’d love to hear from you.
We hope you will join us for One Wave 2020!