Indigenous Peoples Day Events on ‘Vancouver Island’

IndigiNews has compiled a list of “Vancouver Island” events for you to join in celebrating and learning about the culture and peoples of the homelands you’re living in, for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.

Snuneymuxw Homelands

Where: Maffeo Sutton Park, 100 Comox Road, Snuneymuxw Homelands, “Nanaimo”
When: Tuesday, June 21, 5pm-8pm
Cost: Free

The Mid Island Metis Association is hosting an evening of activities and learning. From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. there will be Indigenous games in the field, including opportunities to climb with Metis climbing group, Wild and Climb, who will be bringing a portable bouldering wall to the park. The evening also includes music performances by Footprints of the Wolf, the MIMN Fiddle Group, Summer Sage, and Ed Peekeekoot. There will even be Jigging lessons for people of all ages, and a teepee to explore. 

Stz’uminus Homelands

Where: Transfer Beach Park, Stz’uminus Homelands, “Ladysmith” 
When: Tuesday, June 21, 10am-3pm
Cost: Free

Stz’uminus First Nation is hosting an event full of culture, dancing and learning. Starting at Transfer Beach at 10 a.m. there will be performances by the Tzinquaw Dancers, Nate Harris, and the Young Wolves Dance Group. There will also be arts, crafts, food, a bouncy castle and Knowledge Keepers and Holders, and vendors to explore and learn from.

Cowichan Tribes Homelands

Where: Si’em Lelum Soccer Fields, 5574 River Rd., “Duncan”
When: Tuesday, June 21, 11am-3pm
Cost: Free

In Cowichan, join the community for activities including Cedar Rose making, drumming for medicine, painting paddles and canvases, making a drumstick and more. There will also be opportunities to learn the language of the Cowichan peoples, Hul’qumi’num.

Lək̓ʷəŋən Homelands – Royal Roads University

Where: Royal Roads University, “Victoria”
When: Tuesday, June 21, 10am-3pm
Cost: Free

On lək̓ʷəŋən homelands, head to Royal Roads University for an action-packed morning, starting with a canoe landing following protocol and welcoming ceremony on the shore of the Esquimalt Lagoon, led by lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) Nation Elder Butch Dick and Elder Elmer George.

The day will also feature performances by lək̓ʷəŋən drummers, singers and dancers from ANSWER2 Drum Group. Other activities include Jigging, canoe challenges, field games for children, a frybread station, interactive Metis showcase, storytelling and more. 

Help us raise $25,000 to get justice for Indigenous families who have lost their children

We just want to know what happened to our Indigenous children — and we’re continuing to fight for answers. On June 12 and 13, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) is taking B.C’s Information and Privacy Commissioner and IndigiNews to the B.C Supreme Court. Why? To keep redacted documents from our storytellers. What is MCFD fighting so hard to hide?


We want answers. Will you pitch in so we can continue to hold colonial institutions accountable?

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