Contemporary Indigenous arts festival launches in Victoria

Indigifest, a festival thatcelebrates contemporary Indigenous artists, launches Fridayin Victoria.

The festival is a free, one-day event at the Esquimalt Gorge Park, which will includemusical performers, workshops and interactive activities.

Sarah Pocklington, a musician and arts manager of First Peoples Cultural Council,startedthe initiative to give rising artists a platform to connect with other Indigenous artistsin B.C.

"We have incredible indigenous artists in this province ... It's about lifting up artists," Pocklington said.

The council is a provincial Crown corporation formed torevitalize First Nations languages, arts and culture.

Internationally renowned artists like the Snotty Nose Rez kidsand Niska Napoleon will be taking part.

Pocklingtonis of Cree, Scottish and English heritage and the executive producer of this year's festival.

Shesaidthe idea for the festival grew from a music retreat for Indigenous musicians in 2018, also organized bythe First Peoples' Cultural Council.

"The retreat was quite exceptional ... we had a lot of mentors," she said. There, she gainedknowledge about the arts industryand wanted to contribute more.

"Emerging artists are expressing their values and cultures ... in new and exciting ways," she said.

Pocklington said, Indigifest is more than just a platform for rising artists ... it's a place for those in the arts community to connect and come together.

Many people who took part in the culturalcouncil'sprograms are working as technical stage producers, workshop facilitators and managers.

'They need opportunity'

"It's an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the Indigenous cultures," Pocklington said.

Whatemerging Indigenous artists need right now is a shot to pursue their career goals, she said.

"They need opportunity, that's the biggest thing."