Where to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in British Columbia?

On the occasion of June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, several activities are organized in British Columbia and elsewhere in the country to celebrate the rich heritage and cultural expressions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

The date of June 21 was proclaimed National Aboriginal Day in 1996 by Roméo LeBlanc, then Governor General of Canada, before taking the name, the following year, National Aboriginal Peoples Day.

This date was chosen because of the cultural significance of the summer solstice for many of Canada’s Indigenous communities who traditionally already took advantage of the longest day of the year to celebrate their culture and heritage.

The day National Aboriginal Peoples’ Association also allows us to commemorate the memory of the victims and survivors of residential schools for Aboriginal people and to maintain the dialogue of reconciliation.

To mark this special day, the First Nations of British Columbia organized several events on their territory.

In the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver

The Indigenous community of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside invites Vancouverites to join them at the Carnegie Community Center, located at 401 Main Street.

On the program, craft activities, purification sessions, cultural exchanges and concerts.

Events and activities are held on Main Street between East Hastings and East Pender between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

In downtown Vancouver

For this day, the VIFF Central Vancouver has given Mattagami First Nation member Corey Payette carte blanche.

The movie director The King’s Daughters has selected four films that take a new look at indigenous storytelling.

Among the feature films selected, we can note Hey Viktor!, by Cody Lightning, or Wildhood, by Bretten Hannam.

Film screenings begin at 1:30 p.m.

At Mission

In Mission, at the park Fraser River Heritagelocal indigenous communities invite people to celebrate their culture, traditions and community contributions.

Various works of art will be highlighted, and shows will be presented around the theme of healing through the mind, body and soul.

Activities around drumming, face painting, yoga and storytelling will also be organized.

In Chilliwack

Shared workspace Cowork Chilliwack in Chilliwack offers the opportunity to discover the latest works of art by Aboriginal artist Carrielynn Victor.

She exhibits works mixing traditional motifs and contemporary themes. They tell the story of the resilience, beauty and strength of First Nations people.

Art lovers will also be able to purchase original works directly from the artist.

In Comox

The K’ómoks First Nation organizes workshops based on ancestral knowledge. Food, crafts, music and activities for children are on the program.

The activities will take place at Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In Courtenay

In Courtenay, the K’ómoks and Pentlatch First Nation celebrations will take place on the beautiful beach site where the 32-foot Norman-Frank totem pole is located, at 3535 Bayside Road.

To discover cultures and traditions, works of art, stories and traditional dance workshops will be there.

Tours of the K’ómoks Kus-Kus-Sum estuary, shellfish ponds and fish weir along the Comox foreshore will also be offered.

In Kamloops

At the TteS Pow Wow Arbor in Kamloops, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation invites the population to celebrate the Day national festival of indigenous peoples with food trucks, drum shows and traditional songs or even captivating performances by dancers.

An aerial light show will close the day. The events will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

All these celebrations take place on Friday June 21, 2024.