Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
Minister Lisa Beare, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture shares a message, in partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC to acknowledge National Indigenous History Month and invite you to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with us virtually.
National Indigenous History Month was declared in June 2009 for all Canadians to learn more about the cultures and contributions made by the many distinct Indigenous Peoples in Canada. National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21 was declared an annual holiday in 1996 to coincide with summer solstice and the beginning of a season of berry picking and fishing, powwows and gatherings for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Explore the virtual celebrations and learn about the Indigenous travel restrictions. While BC is encouraging local travel within your own area, please remember many Indigenous communities have set their own guidelines. Follow their local travel recommendations to protect Indigenous Elders, children, resources and lands this summer.
This year, to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, Indigenous Tourism BC is excited to host a virtual performance of Ḱa’niya, a song shared by the Joseph Family, that will connect the voices and spirits of Indigenous Peoples across BC.
Please join us to support the local Indigenous digital economy, explore and learn online and celebrate virtually.
Thank you to the following partners for supporting
the 2020 Indigenous Tourism BC National Indigenous Peoples Day virtual celebration:
The Butchart Gardens | The Capital Regional District | BC Arts Council
Thank you to the following partners for their support of the Victoria Indigenous Cultural Festival over the last 7 years:
Royal BC Museum | Destination Greater Victoria | Greater Victoria Harbour Authority | Esquimalt Nation | Songhees Nation | Vancity | Times Colonist | Victoria Ocean Point Resort | University of Victoria | Harbour Air | BC Ferries | Victoria International Marina | The Butchart Gardens | The Capital Regional District | BC Arts Council
Indigenous Tourism BC would also like to acknowledge the Indigenous communities, and the Indigenous tourism business owners and operators for their commitment to drive the Indigenous tourism industry forward, our tourism partners throughout the Province and Canada, and the support from our partners Destination BC, Western Economic Diversification and Indigenous Services Canada.
Resilience, Prosperity and Resources for Indigenous Business
June 23, 2020
Small Business BC hosted a webinar with Indigenous Tourism BC and the Indigenomics Institute Inc as a part of Indigenous History Awareness Month.
Tewanee Joseph, Chief Partnership and Governance Officer with Indigenous Tourism BC shared the importance of collaboration in times like these to support Indigenous tourism businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. He also spoke of the business leadership and innovation that businesses have shown to continue sharing their story.
Carol Anne Hilton, CEO and Founder of the Indigenous Institute Inc. spoke about the Indigenous businesses being recognized as economic powerhouses and that now is the time to measure their strengths as major contributors to the Canadian economy.
Please listen to the full recording. Below are some of the resources that were mentioned to support Indigenous businesses.
