June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Events commemorating the day in celebration of First Nation’s Culture happen all over the Lower Mainland.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a similar event. It happens on September 30th. For details about the day in the fall, see our article about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. To learn about National Indigenous Peoples Day, however, continue reading.
In 2024, this important day is celebrated on Friday, June 21st.
This article includes information about events in the following communities:
Fort Langley | Surrey | Harrison Hot Springs | BC Sports Hall of Fame (in Vancouver) | Bill Reid Gallery (in Vancouver) | City of Vancouver | Richmond | Burnaby | New Westminster | Maple Ridge | Mission | Chilliwack | Port Moody | West Vancouver | North Vancouver | Whistler
National Indigenous Peoples Day in the Lower Mainland
Places to enjoy First Nations dancing, art and festivities in the Lower Mainland include events in Surrey, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, West Vancouver, downtown Vancouver and at various other locations.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Fort Langley
The Stalew Arts & Cultural Society celebrates its 10th anniversary at the Fort Langley Historic Site on June 15th, 2024.
It’s a day of Indigenous-themed activities from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. There’s powwow drumming, singing and dancing to enjoy. There’s also a large market with Indigenous vendors, plant walks, storytelling and a blacksmith demo. Admission is free for everyone on the day.
To learn more, see our article about Fort Langley National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations.
For an idea of what to expect at the Fort Langley event, watch the video below.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Surrey
The National Indigenous Peoples Day event in Surrey used take place at Holland Park. However, the event moved to a new location last year.
The celebrations now take place at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre which is part of the Cloverdale Rodeo Fairgrounds located at 17728 64 Avenue. The 2024 event runs from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm on June 21st.
The Surrey event usually includes welcoming and closing ceremonies, a community barbeque, live entertainment and more. It’s a big event! Several thousand people attend most years, there are dozens of vendors and community stalls, and the entertainment is extensive.
For more information about the event, see our article about Indigenous Peoples Day in Surrey.
Sasquatch Days in Harrison Hot Springs
The annual Sasquatch Days festival takes place close to National Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s held in the resort town of Harrison Hot Springs.
The festival runs on the weekend of June 22nd and 23rd in 2024, so right after the main day. Sasquatch Days features First Nations performances and vendors. There are also war canoe races, barbeque lunches and more. The festival is free to attend.
For more information about the event, see our article about Sasquatch Days.
BC Sports Hall of Fame (in Vancouver)
The BC Sports Hall of Fame is home to the Indigenous Sport Gallery. The attraction may or may not host a special event on National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2024. Regardless, the Indigenous Sport Gallery is a great place to visit at any time. It’s a celebration of First Nations athletes in the province.
For more information about the exhibit, see the BC Sports Hall of Fame website or visit indigenoussportgallery.com for a virtual tour.
To celebrate National Indigenous History Month, the BC Sports Hall of Fame also has a couple of events in June 2024. On June 21st and 22nd there are tours of the Indigenous Sport Gallery at the museum. On the following weekend, on June 30th, the BC Sports Hall of Fame has a special storytelling event. All of these activities are included with the cost of regular admission.
To see what the Indigenous Sport Gallery at the BC Sports Hall of Fame looks like, check out the following video.
Bill Reid Gallery (in Vancouver)
To commemorate National Indigenous Peoples Day, most years the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art is free to the public on June 21st. This is likely to be the case again in 2024. With free admission, it’s a great time to visit and see some exceptional Northwest Coast First Nations art.
The gallery also hosted an Indigenous Artisans Market on June 15th. Entry to the market was included with general admission to the museum and there were 15 local vendors to check out. Visitors who showed proof they took transit to the gallery that day received two for one admission as well.
Click Bill Reid Gallery for more.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Vancouver
A few different National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations take place in Vancouver.
One of the most notable ones this year is a celebration at Grandview Park at 1657 Charles Street. At this event, live entertainment and an Indigenous market run from noon until 4:00 pm. There’s also a Friendship Walk at 11:00 am starting at the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre Society building. To learn more, see Britannia Centre‘s website.
Another event happening this year is the National Indigenous Peoples Day Block Party hosted by the Carnegie Community Centre. The festivities at 401 Main Street begin at noon and run until 6:00 pm. They include cultural performances, giveaways, and more. For additional information, see the event’s Facebook page.
There’s also a special edition of Kitsilano Showboat on June 21st, 2024. The performers that night are Steven Seegerts & the Urban Aboriginal Drum Circle, and Indigenous storyteller and dancer Katisha Paul.
On June 22nd this year, so one day after National Indigenous Peoples Day, Indigenous Culture Under the Stars runs from 2:00 pm until late at night at Second Beach. Folks can browse a market full of Indigenous vendors, enjoy live entertainment and food, followed by a film screening at night.
For more details about these and other events in the city, see our article about National Indigenous Peoples Day Events in Vancouver.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Richmond
The Cannery’s Welcoming the Sun event happens on June 15th this year, so on the Saturday before National Indigenous Peoples Day. The special event runs from noon until 4:00 pm and features drumming, storytelling, live performances and other family-friendly activities and entertainment.
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery typically offers free admission on June 21st for people who identify as Indigenous, Inuit or Metis. In years past, revenue from ticket sales on June 21st from other folks went to the Residential Schools Survivors Campaign. This may be the same in 2024.
Click National Indigenous Peoples Day in Richmond for more information about the event in Steveston Village.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Burnaby
The City of Burnaby hosts a free community celebration on National Indigenous Peoples Day. The event runs from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm on June 21st at Civic Square in 2024. This is a new location, as up until this year the venue for this event was Edmonds Park and Plaza.
There’s lots of dance, storytelling and spoken word performances. The event also features art activities and artisan vendors.
For more details, visit the City of Burnaby‘s website.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in New Westminster
Special activities happen on June 21st at Moody Park in New Westminster between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm. The schedule of events last year was the following and will likely look the same in 2024, but details are TBC as of early June.
- 9:30 am – Welcome
- 10:00 am – Wild Moccasin Dancers Pow Wow
- 10:30 am – Jane Wiley Hoop Dancer
- 11:00 am – Star Child Dancers Pow Wow
- 11:30 am – Stars of the North Drum Group
- 12:00 pm – Tawahum (Hip Hop)
- 12:30 pm – Coastal Wolf Pack
- 1:00 pm – Waceya Métis Society, Jigging and Fiddling (Children)
- 1:30 pm – Métis Jigging with Charlene Hamilton and Justine Loyie
There is also usually educational displays, storytelling and other activities on site. For the latest information, see the City of New Westminster‘s website.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 22nd (so on the day after National Indigenous Peoples Day).
Hosted by the Fraser River Indigenous Society, the event runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Memorial Peace Park. Festivities include drumming, dancing, storytelling and other activities for all ages.
Memorial Peace Park is in downtown Maple Ridge at 11900 224th Street by McIntosh Avenue.
Click Indigenous Peoples Day in Maple Ridge for further details.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Mission
This year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations take place on June 21st. They are hosted by the Mission Friendship Centre Society. The event runs from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm at Fraser River Heritage Park.
Admission to the event is free and activities include arts and crafts, storytelling, drumming, face painting and yoga. There is bannock competition this year as well.
For more information about the event, visit the City of Mission‘s website.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Chilliwack
The Chilliwack Learning Society typically hosts National Indigenous Peoples Day activities at Townsend Park, located at 45130 Wolfe Road in Chilliwack. As of mid-June, 2024, it doesn’t appear that this event is taking place this year.
When it does happen, the event runs from around 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on June 21st. The free event usually features a main stage with a variety of cultural demonstrations and performances. There are also fun races, storytelling, and arts and crafts activities. Organizers at last year’s the event gave away used books as well.
To learn more, check out the Chilliwack Learning Society‘s website.
Something that IS happening this year is chillcouture: Shxwthit’awkw’, a gala and fashion show taking place at the Shxwá:y Cultural Centre. The centre is located at 44692-B Skway Road.
chillcouture features over two dozen Indigenous models parading looks made by local fashion designers. There is also an arts showcase, traditional food to sample and live music performed by Arnie Leon, Maddi K and Dion Weisbrod.
Tickets cost $31.50 for adults and $21 for youth under the age of 19 when purchased in advance online.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in Port Moody
After not happening for a few years, National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations took place in Port Moody at Rocky Point Park last year. The celebrations happen again on June 22nd in 2024.
There are two events this year. The first is a blanket exercise from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm that takes participants on a guided journey through the history of Indigenous peoples in BC and the rest of Canada. Then from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm there is a ceremonial house post raising and feast. The evening event features free family-friendly activities such as drumming, singing, and a community art project. There is also a community feast.
Click Indigenous Peoples Day in Port Moody for more details about the event.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in West Vancouver
National Indigenous Peoples Day activities happen at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver on June 21st.
Celebrations run from around 4:00 pm until 8:30 pm in 2024. They take place on the traditional, unceded territories of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish) People. Activities at the event mostly include storytelling, workshops and live entertainment. This year’s event includes the chance to have a salmon dinner.
To learn more about this event, see the District of West Vancouver‘s website.
National Indigenous Peoples Day in North Vancouver
In North Vancouver, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation hosts their Whey-ah-Wichen Canoe Festival each summer.
Although it isn’t specifically a celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, the event takes place from June 28th to 30th in 2024, so during National Indigenous Heritage Month. The event features canoe racing and artisan vendors at Cates Park.
For more details click Whey-ah-Wichen Canoe Festival.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is a great place to visit and learn about Indigenous culture and history any time of the year. Located in Whistler’s Upper Village at 4584 Blackcomb Way, the centre has exhibits and a really good gift shop. The centre also offers tours daily and hosts special events for the public at various times.
In 2024 there is an entire month of special programming in June. That includes forest tours, dreamcatcher and medicine bag craft workshops, Indigenous tea offerings and more.
Admission to the centre itself is also free for all on June 21st when there is a long list of activities to take part in. The centre that day hosts live carving demonstrations, a comedy show, film screenings, a fashion show and much more.
To learn more about the venue and its events, see our article about the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
Other Information
The Lower Mainland is on the unceded traditional lands of the Coast Salish people. In Vancouver this includes the territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish nations.
First Nations in other parts of Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland include the Hwlitsum, Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem, Matsqui, Qayqayt, Semiahmoo, Sto:lo and Tsawwassen nations.
For information about other related events at other times of the year, click Lower Mainland First Nations.
For a list of other types of events throughout the year, click Festivals & Events Calendar.
As of 2021, a new holiday in both Canada and BC is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It takes place on September 30th and is a somber reflection of the cruelties of the infamous Canadian residential school system.
