Hello everyone! It is almost time to decide what fun event (or events) to attend to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day! In trying to decide where I intend to celebrate Indigenous peoples and elevate Indigenous voices, I have put together a list of family friendly activities and events going on across the Lower Mainland! These events are largely free, with some costing a small fee, and are great for kids and teenagers alike.
Here is the list, organized by city:
SURREY
South Surrey Indigenous Carving Centre Grand Opening
Saturday, June 17, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: Free!
Location: Elgin Heritage Park, 13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey, BC V4P 1J4
The South Surrey Indigenous Carving Centre in Elgin Heritage Park will be celebrating its grand opening on Saturday, June 17! There will be food, games, and an Indigenous artisan market on the grounds of the Carving Centre and Historic Stewart Farm.
Surrey’s National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Wellness Event
Wednesday, June 21, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Cost: Free!
Location: Bill Reid Millenium Amphitheatre, 17728 64 Avenue, Surrey, BC
The City of Surrey website describes this family friendly event best: “Hosted by Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations, this event is an opportunity to acknowledge and show respect and admiration for Indigenous Peoples past, present and future; to share cultural history; and to share spirit, experiences, stories, song, art and dance with each other and the community.”
WHISTLER
Cedar Paddle Necklace
Sunday, June 18, 1:00pm-2:00pm Cost: $15 Ages: 5-7 years
Location: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, 4584 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V8E 0Y3
Gather the younger kids together to make a cedar paddle necklace with pre-cut cedar paddles. There are lots of decoration options with beads, so kiddos will have lots of fun making the necklace their own!
Discover Your Spirit Animal
Sunday, June 18, 2:00pm – 4:00pm Cost: $15 Ages: 5-9 years
Location: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, 4584 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V8E 0Y3
Kids will enjoy this educational workshop that details the four animals in the traditional territory of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, Eagle, Bear, Hummingbird, and Wolf. Students will also learn the history and cultural significance of spirit animals!
Buckskin Medicine Bag
Sunday, June 25, 1:00-2:00pm Cost: $20 Ages: 8+ years
Location: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, 4584 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V8E 0Y3
Older kids will have the opportunity to use buckskin, beads and hide lacing to craft a handmade medicine bag, and learn the cultural significance and uses of medicine bags!
VANCOUVER
National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at Grandview Park
Wednesday, June 21, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Cost: Free!
Location: Grandview Park, 1657 Charles St, Vancouver, BC, V5L 2T4
Head down to Grandview Park to enjoy a full day of events to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day! At 9:00am head over to VAFCS 1607 E Hastings Street to enjoy a pancake breakfast. At 11:00am, there will be a Friendship Walk from VAFCS to Grandview Park, followed by Indigenous Entertainment and activities at Grandview Park from Noon-5:00pm!
Centering Indigenous Joy: A Celebration of Literature, Arts, and Creativity
Saturday, June 17, 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Cost: Free, donations to the Urban Native Youth Association encouraged.
Location: 312 Main, Gathering Space, 312 Main Street Vancouver, BC V6A 2T2
Curated by artist and story teller Nathan Adler and the Word Vancouver literary festival, this family friendly event celebrates Indigenous literature, art, and creativity! There will be vendors, food, drinks, Indigenous storytellers, and artist performances!
Elder Stories at West Vancouver Memorial Library
Tuesday, June 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Cost: Free!
Location: West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive West Vancouver, BC V7V 1J8
Hop over to the West Vancouver Memorial Library to enjoy an Elders story of their life and culture, with a focus on the Amalgamation of the Squamish Nation. This event will be at held on the rooftop garden, Swáýwi temíxw at West Vancouver Memorial Library.
Indigenous Peoples Day at Bill Reid Gallery
Wednesday, June 21, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Cost: Free!
Location: Bill Reid Gallery, 639 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC Canada V6C 2G3
Enjoy free admission to the Bill Reid Gallery and learn about Bill Reid and other contemporary artists!
How We Changed It, Indigenous Women in STEAM
Monday, June 26, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Cost: Free, but registration is required!
Location: Science World, 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver, BC
Head to the link above to get a full, in-depth description of this amazing event! This event highlights and celebrates Indigenous women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) fields. Join powerful women at Science World and listen to their stories of success in STEAM and their integrations of Indigenous ways of knowing and being into the fields!
Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction
Sunday, June 18, 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Cost: $20+
Location: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3
Check out the link above for more information to this event! This literary event demonstrates how queer Indigenous communities thrive throughout utopian narratives. More suited to older teenagers that are interested in poetry, Indigeneity, and science fiction!
NORTH VANCOUVER
Bannock Bake Off Saturday, June 24, 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Cost: Free to attend, paid admission to access the galleries.
Location: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 0G7
Head over to MONOVA with the family to enjoy Bannock makers’ fried and baked goods, for a small fee! Support local Bannock makers and enjoy some delicious treats!
Film Screening: Brother Bear 2 Saturday, June 24, 3:00 – 5:00pm
Cost: Free to see the film, paid admission to access the galleries.
Location: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 0G7
Bring the whole family to MONOVA to enjoy this Rated G film screening of Brother Bear 2!
A Celebration of Coast Salish Wool Weaving Thursday, June 22, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Cost: Free, paid admission to access the galleries.
Location: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 0G7
Learn all about Coast Salish wool weaving through a demonstration of materials, techniques, and designs!
Sharing Culture: Beading with Nicole Baker Saturday, June 17, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Cost: $40 General Admission, $32 Museum Pass holder, Friends Leadership Circle, Indigenous. Tickets available here.
Location: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 0G7
Learn the art of beading, listen to stories, and create lovely, beaded earrings with Nicole Baker’s guidance!
Coast Salish Canvas Painting with Tsawaysia Spukwus Sunday, June 25, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Cost: Museum admission, plus donation for supplies.
Location: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 0G7
From the MONOVA site: “Paint Coast Salish designs on small canvas using acrylic paints and templates created by local Coast Salish artists including See-Appl-Tun (Art Harry).”
From the Garden: Coast Salish Plants Thursday, June 29, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Cost: Free, paid admission to access the galleries.
Location: 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 0G7
Bring the whole family along to MONOVA to learn all about native plants with with Indigenous Cultural Programmer Tsawaysia Spukwus.
BURNABY
National Indigenous Peoples Day at Edmonds Park and Plaza
Wednesday, June 21, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Cost: Free!
Location: Edmonds Park and Plaza, 7433 Edmonds Street, Burnaby, BC V3N 1B1
Enjoy this free celebration of Indigenous culture at Edmonds Park and Plaza! There will be a variety of performances such as spoken word, Indigenous artisans, dance, and storytelling! Click the link below for more specifics on this family friendly event!
MAPLE RIDGE
National Indigenous Peoples Day at Memorial Peace Park
Saturday, June 17, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Cost: Free!
Location: Memorial Peace Park, 11930 224 St, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9
Enjoy a family friendly day of celebration at Memorial Peach Park!
We hope you are all able to get out there and celebrate!
Author: Kassidy, ITMP Blog Writer
Photo Credits: "Celebrating National Indigenous History Month" via University of Waterloo
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