TOGETHER, WITH OPEN HEARTS AND MINDS

National Indigenous History Month and Peoples Day 2024

June 1st marks the beginning of a month designated by Canada for all Canadians to honour the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Indigenous Tourism BC invites you to welcome summer and celebrate National Indigenous History Month. Indigenous Peoples in BC lead the way in stewardship, collaboration, self-determination, and storytelling. Give thanks for another year on the land with each other and share in our celebration of the many Indigenous successes of the past year–in law, art, land protection, business, and governance.

With meaningful collaboration, greater cultural humility and respect for Indigenous Knowledge, and increased curiosity about Indigenous historical and present-day realities, we are working with Canadian allies to create culturally safe spaces for Indigenous Peoples to share their histories, experiences, and knowledge.

We’re listening, looking, learning, and waking to a world with more excellent Indigenous representation in public spaces, art, leadership, education, technology, and innovation.

Together, we’re building more robust, digitally capable, diversified Indigenous economies and contributing to Indigenous-led stewardship projects with shared values and sustainable research dedicated to precious places and species.

We’re taking tips from Indigenous values in leadership and business, environmental and emergency management practices, and ways of being in community and nature.
We’re honouring traditional place names, backing Indigenous businesses, and seeking Indigenous-led experiences.

This National Indigenous History Month, we call upon all Canadians to actively seek firsthand experiences, educate themselves about living Indigenous cultures, and find ways to contribute to the wellness of Indigenous families, lands, and communities in BC–not just in June, but throughout the year.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH 2024

We have dedicated this month to highlight Indigenous businesses, communities, people, video stories, and special events from some of the 200+ unique Indigenous communities in British Columbia. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok for a month-long calendar of inspirational and educational Indigenous digital content.

Our Story. Your Experience.

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Our Story. Your Experience.

Come, sit, and hear our stories. You are invited to hear them firsthand as a witness to Indigenous realities and perspectives in present-day British Columbia. There are over 160 Indigenous-owned hotels and campsites, museums and cultural centres, wineries, golf courses, guided wildlife tours, and unique experiences in BC – all with stories to share.

Visit Indigenous tourism experiences and learn

Seek firsthand experiences and education about living Indigenous cultures and realities to inspire your learning beyond the month of June. We walk gently and encourage you to experience the rich and diverse cultures of #IndigenousBC. Download the Indigenous Tourism BC app to find and visit Indigenous tourism experiences in BC.

Learn More about the App

Explore Indigenous Language Tools

Learn more about the history, culture, and language of the keepers of the land you live on. First Voices offers online language learning tools and mobile apps with a comprehensive collection of greetings and introductory phrases from Indigenous communities around BC. Increase your child’s capacity for cultural understanding and empathy with resources that explore Indigenous perspectives on contemporary curriculum content.

NEWS STORIES & INDIGENOUS WINS IN 2024

Indigenous Tourism BC is proud to celebrate all Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia. We applaud your legal victories, ongoing environmental stewardship, award-winning art, and leadership in truth and reconciliation.

These are not just contributions to the Canadian landscape, but powerful demonstrations of our unique and valuable wholeness, success, and self-determination as Indigenous Peoples.

Here are some Indigenous successes in BC over the past year:

National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21

National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21 and coincides with the summer solstice and the beginning of a season of berry picking and fishing, powwows, and gatherings for the diverse Indigenous peoples in Canada. Traditionally, there are significant gatherings in communities all across BC – parades, dancing, music, festivals, and food. Share your experience on social media with #IndigenousBC.

Check back here often to explore our growing list of Indigenous Peoples Day events.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Events

National Indigenous Peoples Day at SLCC

📍 Whistler

Friday June 21

FREE ADMISSION gratefully provided by Proud Partner CIBC and the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

Celebrate the spirit of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) to honour National Indigenous Peoples Day on Friday, June 21, 2024. Experience immersive cultural programming, Artists Market on the Mezzanine, and kid’s craft activities throughout the day. Explore authentic First Nations artwork and keepsakes in the Gallery and Gift Shop, and enjoy Indigenous-inspired cuisine at the Thunderbird Café.

Throughout Canada, the day brings a time to recognize and celebrate the unique and diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is proud to be the heart of authentic connections to the original peoples of the shared territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Líl̓wat7úl in Whistler.

Event Details

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

📍 Vancouver

Friday June 21

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
JUNE 21 at 12-4pm Free Public Event
Grandview Park (Commercial Drive)

11:00 am
NIPD Celebration Walk starting from the Vancouver Aboriginal Policing Centre 1719 Franklin Street to walk up Commercial Drive to Grandview Park (Wear your Regalia & Bring your Drum)

12:00pm – 4:00pm Main Stage
Host: Josiah Amaya
Welcome: Nicholas Kofi
Featuring:
Hayley Wallis
One Way Sky – Adrian D Thomas
Zach Saunders
DJ Staniml

Live Art: Jesse Gouchey
Indigenous Market

Event Details

2nd Annual National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration Block Party Celebration

📍 Vancouver

Friday June 21

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with us as we come together as a community! The Carnegie Community Centre, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, is hosting an in-person event on Friday, June 21st from 12:00 pm onwards.

Drop by for cultural sharing performances, community organization tables, giveaways from the Carnegie Cultural Sharing Program, Hives for Humanity, and much more.

This cultural event will begin with a welcome from Chief Bill Williams Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Carleen Thomas Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh), Mary Point xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. The day will also feature pop-up performances from J.B. The First Lady, Mannix, Haida Dance Group, D.J. Angle, Ember Sparxx, Carnegie’s lexwst’i:lem drum group, with more cultural sharing performance information coming soon. Everyone is welcome to come and spend the day with us as we celebrate.

Event Details

Indigenous Peoples' Day Pop-Up Market

📍 Vancouver

Friday June 21

Cedar Roots Collective is hosting their first pop-up on Friday, June 21 at the intersection of Oxford and Slocan in East Vancouver. This is an exciting mash-up with @larissagrievesdesigns and @isawthesignbannock! There will be incredible bannock, jewelry, and other creations from the wickedly talented Larissa Grieves.

Event Details

National Indigenous Peoples Day

📍 West Vancouver

Friday June 21

Indigenous artists will share traditional art forms with the community. Activities suitable for children will shine a light on languages, cultures, and the immeasurable contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

Friday, June 21
4–8:30 p.m.
Ambleside Park

Activities include:

Traditional activities
Live music performances
Salmon dinner

Event Details

Our Stories to Tell National Indigenous Peoples Day: Pêyakotêwisiwin

📍 Vancouver

Friday June 21

For this 2024 celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Our Stories to Tell showcases the short films of Jules Arita Koostachin. The event starts at 7:00om and admission is free.

The title of the program, “Pêyakotêwisiwin,” means family in InNiNeWak or Swampy Cree, Koostachin’s Indigenous language. The storyteller, PhD holder, actor, writer, producer, and director was born in Moose Factory, Ontario, and is a member of Attawapiskat First Nation, the ancestral lands of the MoshKeKo AsKi InNiNeWak. Koostachin’s work highlights the colonial struggles experienced by Indigenous peoples within so-called Canada while creating hope for the next generation through storytelling. The four shorts in this program all celebrate and uplift Koostachin’s pêyakotêwisiwin, as her four sons appear throughout the films. We witness the value Koostachin places on her culture and the importance of imparting the InNiNeWak ways on her boys so they may foster a strong sense of identity and connection to Attawapiskat and AsKi (Earth).

Event Details

National Indigenous Peoples Day at Edmonds Park and Plaza

📍 Burnaby

Friday June 21

Honour and recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day at this free community celebration at Civic Square (6100 Willingdon Ave).

The celebration of Indigenous culture will begin at 3 pm and will run until 7 pm, featuring a variety of performances that include dance, spoken word, storytelling and artisans.

The event is family friendly and free to attend. With a SkyTrain station nearby, residents are encouraged to leave their car at home and take transit or choose an active transportation option such as walking or cycling.

Event Details

Tk’emlúps National Indigenous Peoples Day

📍 Kamloops

Friday June 21

Join us on June 21st from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm as we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in style! Delight your senses with a feast from food trucks, immerse yourself in the rhythms of traditional drumming and singing, and witness captivating performances by dancers. Plus, prepare to be mesmerized by an awe-inspiring aerial light show and much more throughout the day!

Please join us at the following events:

AERIAL LIGHT SHOW

10:00 PM to 10:15 PM

CLC Soccer Field

LOCATION

Special Events Arbour

345 Powwow Trail

Kamloops, BC V2H 1H1

Event Details

Surrey's National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration & Wellness Event

📍 Surrey

Friday June 21

The City of Surrey is situated on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the sǝmyámǝ (Semiahmoo), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), and q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) land-based Nations who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial.

Join us on June 21 for the National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration & Wellness Event, live at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Cloverdale:

Full event 3 – 8pm
Welcome at 4pm

Hosted by Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations, this event is an opportunity to acknowledge and show respect and admiration for Indigenous Peoples past, present and future; to share cultural history; and to share spirit, experiences, stories, song, art and dance with each other and the community.

The in-person event will include cultural sharing from the local First Nations with teachings and practice through art, music, storytelling, dance and more.

Event Details

K'ÓMOKS FESTIVAL 2024

📍 Courtenay

Friday June 21

We will be coming together on June 21st to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day at the beautiful beach site location of the Frank Memorial Pole, 3535 Bayside Road, Courtenay, British Columbia.

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on the Lands of the K’ómoks First Nation with Hereditary Chief Yax’nukwalas, K’ómoks & Pentlatch Hereditary Chief Namnam’am, Kerry Norman Frank.

You are invited to connect with the beauty and power of K’ómoks and Pentlatch as we mark the Historic Opening of Queneesh House.

Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Art, Culture, Language, Storytelling, Workshops & Dancing. Tour the K’ómoks Kus-Kus-Sum Estuary, Shell Middens & Fish Weir along the Comox Foreshore.

Learn the Story of the Frank Memorial Pole—Carved by Tlingit Kwaguʼł Master Carver, Tommy Hunt Jr., Waławidi & the Legends Behind the Many Masks & Artworks on Display by some of the most Celebrated First Nation Artists and Carvers on the West Coast.

This year’s festival features artwork by Henry Speck Sr.
Dicky Joseph, Tommy Hunt Jr., Waławidi
Wayne Alfred, Richard Hunt
Late Beau Dick, Late Marcus Alfred
Late Douglas Cranmer, Geary Cranmer
Bruce Alfred & Rachelle Antoine

Event Details

National Indigenous Peoples Day at K’ómoks First Nation

📍 Comox

Friday, June 21

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY

When: Friday, June 21 from 2pm-8pm
Where: Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds

Join K’ómoks First Nation in a day of celebration! The Nation will be hosting cultural and community partners from across the valley for:

WORKSHOPS, KNOWLEDGE SHARING, FOOD, CRAFTS, MUSIC AND KIDS ACTIVITIES!

Event Details

Art Exhibit and Live Interview with Coast Salish Artist Carrielynn Victor

📍 Chilliwack

Friday June 21

This National Indigenous Peoples Day, immerse yourself in a transformative evening that bridges art, culture, and conversation. Join us as we honor the rich heritage and vibrant creativity of First Nations communities with an exclusive event featuring renowned artist Carrielynn Victor and the charismatic host of Bigger Than Me Podcast, Aaron Pete.

Why You Can’t Miss This Event:

Exclusive Art Exhibit: Be among the first to experience a curated display of Carrielynn Victor’s latest artwork. Each piece, a blend of traditional motifs and contemporary themes, tells a story of resilience, beauty, and the strength of First Nations people. Art lovers will have the unique opportunity to purchase original pieces directly from the artist.

Culinary Delights: Savor a carefully selected array of gourmet bites, including Charcuterie Cups, vibrant fruit kabobs, and freshly made bannock with jam. Quench your thirst with our signature pink lemonade or indulge in the exquisite taste of Maan Farm’s Raspberry wine. A feast not just for the taste buds but for the soul.

Engaging Conversation: Step into our intimate studio setting for a heartfelt interview between Aaron and Carrielynn. Delve into the mind of an artist passionate about her craft, discover the wellsprings of her inspiration, and explore the pivotal role of art in the journey toward reconciliation. This conversation promises to enlighten, inspire, and spark dialogue.

Event Details

National Indigenous Peoples Day

📍 Kelowna

Friday, June 21

Each year on June 21, Canada celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly known as National Aboriginal Day). This day is a celebration of indigenous culture and heritage, and the valuable contributions it has made to Canadian society. Activities include a mini pow-wow, children’s activities, and a traditional feast at Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society’s Turtle Island Festival, along with programming at the Okanagan Heritage Museum.

For more information, contact our Visitor Centre.

Event Details

National Indigenous Peoples Day

📍 West Vancouver

Friday, June 21

4–8:30 p.m.
Ambleside Park

Activities include:

Traditional activities
Live music performances
Salmon dinner

Event Details

Let's Stay in Touch

We walk gently and encourage education and exploration about the rich and diverse Indigenous cultures in British Columbia.