For many of us, National Indigenous Peoples Day may take a different format than an in-person celebration of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and cultures, but there is still plenty to do around British Columbia to mark the date.
Here are some upcoming events in BC you can attend, many of which you can access from anywhere:
• The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre will be hosting a in-person concert (limited to 50 people in the mezzanine) on the 20th, and have free bannock at the Thunderbird Café on the 21st. Click here to learn more.
• If you cannot attend the The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in person, they also have extensive online resources share Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxumixw and Lil̓wat7úl cultures through audio, video, and hands-on activities. All can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home by clicking here.
• Little Shuswap Lake Band and Quaaout Lodge will be connecting virtually to share and celebrate Secwepemc culture Monday June 21st at 10:00am. The event will include dancing, storytelling, and a traditional smudge ceremony Click here to learn more.
• On June 21st, Richmond will host First Stories: Tales from Turtle Island, Drum Across Kanata, and Online Storytimes. Links and descriptions of these events and more are highlighted in this article here.
• Throughout Revelstoke, there will be several events taking place during the week. The BC Interior Forestry Museum and the Aboriginal Friendship Society have teamed up to create a Riverside Traditional Knowledge Tour along the museum’s trails. There will also be film screenings and artist talks. Click here to learn more.
• Skwachay’s Lodge & Gallery in Vancouver will host “Reimaginations of Places, Spaces & Faces at Skwachay’s Lodge”, a panel discussion of Indigenous artists that offers a space for Indigenous artists to tell their stories in the way they want it told, and to have an opportunity to share works with the wider community. Click here to register for the event.
• Using Maplewood Flats’ “Plant Scavenger Hunt with Senaqwila Wyss” as a guide, you can take a self-guided tour through Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver. Access the video here.
Surrey will have an event hosted by the Local Land Based Nations, Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations. This celebration will include cultural sharing through art, music, storytelling and dance. Click here to learn more.
An open drum circle hosted by the UHNBC Drum Group will take place at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park in Prince George from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Click here to read more.