National Indigenous People's Day

National Indigenous People’s Day takes place on June 21st. It is celebrated in communities all around Metro Vancouver including in the City of Maple Ridge.

In 2022 activities took place at the Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. They happened on Saturday, June 18th, so a few days before the official day. Admission to the event was free.

National Indigenous People’s Day at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge

Hosted by the Fraser River Indigenous Society, the event in Maple Ridge features music and dance performances. There are also artisan vendors and family-friendly activities.

The City of Maple Ridge is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Katzie and Kwantlen First Nations.

Where is the Memorial Peace Park?

The Memorial Peace Park is in the heart of downtown Maple Ridge at 11930 224th Street. The park is in front of the ACT Arts Centre and Maple Ridge Leisure Centre. Maple Ridge itself is about 45 km east of downtown Vancouver and just 15 km east of Port Coquitlam.

What to Expect in 2022

Similar to comparable events elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, the National Indigenous People’s Day event at the Memorial Peace Park is a celebration of First Nations culture. At the event in 2022 there was pow wow dancing, hoop dancing, drumming, art displays, poetry readings and singing by members of local First Nations communities.

The event this past year began with the opening ceremonies at 10:00 am with local dignitaries. There was then a performance by youth Katzie dancer, Aleck Louie, and then another by youth Hoop dancer, Jane Wylie. Blues singer Gerald Charlie sang, Joseph Dandurand did some storytelling, and then The Wild Moccasin Dancers performed. Shyama Priya and David Whitebean also did a Pow Wow dance.

Also at the event in 2022 there were a number of artisan vendors selling Indigenous art, crafts and other items.