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Port Moody Indigenous Peoples Day at Rocky Point Park

Indigenous Peoples Day in Port Moody

Port Moody National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations take place at Rocky Point Park and include food, art and entertainment on June 21st.

 

National Indigenous Peoples Day in Port Moody

National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated in various forms in different communities across the Lower Mainland each year. The festivities in Port Moody are smaller than the main events in places like Vancouver and Surrey, but they are unique and especially interesting in a couple of ways.

Pretty much all National Indigenous Peoples Day events include speeches by dignitaries, dance performances, drumming and other activities that showcase First Nations culture. At the Port Moody event, however, there is a celebration of carved house posts, as well as a “feast” where participants get treated to a sampling of salmon, a small side dish and a tiny dessert most years.

The event in Port Moody is free to attend (as are most other National Indigenous Peoples Day events elsewhere). The dinner option is usually by donation.

Due to COVID-19, Port Moody’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations did not happen in 2020. The event likely didn’t happen in 2021 and 2022 either, at least not in its usual format. The celebrations returned on June 21st in 2023, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

 

Every Child Matters

 

Local First Nations

Rocky Point Park, Port Moody and the surrounding region are on the unceded traditional territories of the Kwikwetlem, Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

 

 National Indigenous Peoples Day Schedule

At the time of writing, the 2023 event schedule was to be confirmed. For an idea of what to expect, below was the schedule from 2019.

  • 5:00 (until 5:45) pm – Sign-in time for kayak and canoe participants
  • 6:00 pm – Opening Ceremony
  • 6:30 pm – Launch
  • 7:00 pm – Water Ceremony
  • 7:30 pm – Feast
  • 8:00 pm – Witnesses
  • 8:15 pmM’Girls
  • 8:45 pmCurtis Clearsky & the Constellations

 

Indigenous Day Opening Ceremony at Rocky Point Park

 

The Opening Ceremonies

Similar to National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations elsewhere, the opening ceremony at the Port Moody event includes the acknowledgement that the surrounding lands are the traditional unceded territories of the local First Nations. There is also storytelling, drumming, singing and the honouring of elders and dignitaries most years.

 

The Feast

In 2019, participants in the feast got in line – with elders first – and enjoyed a complimentary meal of salmon or beef, a rice dish and a small jam-filled pastry dessert.

Each year, attendees at the event are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets, plates and eating utensils. There are tables and chairs for people to sit at too though, and paper plates and forks are available for those who need them.

The “feast” is just a small sampling of food, but it’s delicious. Tickets for it are required, but they are usually available on-site to everyone who wants. 2024 details are to be confirmed.

 

Other Entertainment

A couple of local First Nations groups provide entertainment. In 2023 the performers included M’Girls, Children of Takaya, Ronnie Dean Harris, and more.

 

Indigenous Peoples Day Feast
Lining up for the Feast

Other Information

For more information about the June 21st event at Rocky Point Park see the City of Port Moody‘s website.

For more details about the venue and surrounding area, see our articles about Rocky Point Park and Port Moody.

For a list of other similar events taking place in other parts of the Lower Mainland click National Indigenous Peoples Day in Vancouver.

Other articles that may be of interest include the following: