The above image is a drawn caricuture  map of the Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission, British Columbia, gathered from the Mission Community Archives.

The park has been the site of cultural exchanges and the region generally for more than 130 years,  Starting with the arrival of European explorers, missionaries, and settlers interacting with the indigenous Sto;Lo nation already inhabiting the land on which the park sits on  for millennia. The park itself was once a residential school operated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate organization which was part of the Roman Catholic Church. One example of the Catholic church’s continuing presence in the park itself is the ‘ Grotto’. It is a Grotto based on the original structre in Lourdes, France and its name here is the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.

For ill results or for what may be good exchanges of culture and knowledge the park has been the site of several instances of exchanges.

More recently the park has been the site of cultural exchanges such as the very popular Mission Folk Music Festival that is an annual weekend of concerts and performances with people from all over the region and from all over Canada.  With various kinds of music from various cultures.

Other events include the Twilight Concert Series, Canada day celebrations, and citizenship ceremonies. More information can be found on the different pages and posts on this website.

Extra Special thanks to the Mission Community Archives and the Archivist Senior Staff,  Val Billesberger, and others involved in this research.

Special thanks to the UFV History Department.