How to engage with National Indigenous Peoples Day in Metro Vancouver
Every year on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day encourages reflection and marks a time to celebrate the rich culture and history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.
In Metro Vancouver a whole host of events are in place to ensure there is ample opportunity for people to engage with the event, whether that be learning about the local host nations' rich past, exploring Indigenous culture via art, or tucking into a traditional salmon feast at one of the numerous public events.
Here are the events of note leading up to and on the day.
National Indigenous Day at Ambleside Park
West Vancouver will hold its annual National Indigenous Day celebrations, in collaboration with the three host First Nations, at Ambleside Park by the iconic welcome figure on Saturday, June 21. Alongside the traditional salmon dinner cooked over an open fire, guests can expect canoe races, live music featuring Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) performers and an array of stalls and family-friendly activities.
Firestarters at the Fazakas Gallery
Featuring the works of Métis artist Audie Murray and Cree-Métis artist Zoe Ann Cardinal Cire, the Firestarters exhibition at the Downtown Eastside's Fazakas celebrates Indigenous culture by highlighting traditional forms of art, like beadwork and painting on firewood. The exhibit runs until July 26.
Black and Indigenous at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Damara Jacobs-Petersen, the curator of Indigenous engagement at the Museum of Anthropology, will join performer and artist Modeste 'Monday' Zankpe for a discussion at the VAG on what it means to be both Black and Indigenous, June 20. The ticketed event will see the two delve into their own experiences living in Vancouver with mixed heritage.
The City of Vancouver event at Carnegie Community Centre
On the day of, the city will be hosting performers, food trucks and vendors at Main Street's Carnegie Community Centre from noon onwards. That same morning it will also be sharing news regarding a new, artist-initiated public art installation — a Tsleil-Waututh House Post that will be installed permanently at a yet-to-be revealed location downtown.
Indigenous Women Rise Concert at the Vancouver Public Library
Members of the Indigenous Women Rise drum group will reunite for a special performance at the VPL's central branch on Georgia Street. Initiated in 2018, the group comprises women from across the country who have joined forces, both in person and online, to celebrate and share their cultural practice for healing and connection. The event runs from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m., June 21, and requires registration.
The library also offers various resources that can be accessed throughout the year, including audiobooks and books on the history and culture of First Nations, Indigenous films, music by Indigenous artists and recordings of its past Indigenous Storyteller in Residence sessions.
At Burnaby's Civic Square
Spotlighting a varied selection of performances, the free event held by the city at Burnaby's Civic Square will see artists take to the stage to deliver dance, live music, storytelling and spoken word poetry. The free event, running from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on June 21, will also host Indigenous artist Amanda Hugon who will be printing spindle art on site with the Burnaby Art Gallery's mobile printing station.
Reflecting at The Polygon
In The Polygon's exhibition Reflecting, esteemed Sḵwx̱wú7mesh artist Xwalacktun uses photography as his medium to share the story of the Great Flood and the canoe-led flee to safety to the highest mountain peaks visible above the waters, including Nch'ḵay̓ Mt. Garibaldi. On until July 6, there's plenty of time both before Indigenous Peoples Day and after to learn about this Squamish Nation story, shared among the nation since time immemorial.
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