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 or around 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. The events, however, 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 usually a celebration of carved house posts. In 2025 there’s also bannock bites available at the end of the event.

The celebrations in Port Moody are free to attend (as are most other National Indigenous Peoples Day events elsewhere).

Port Moody’s National Indigenous Peoples Day runs on June 21st in 2025. It starts at 1:00 pm and finishes at 3:00 pm. Live entertainment takes place at the PCT Performance Stage in Rocky Point Park.

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

In 2025 the celebrations in Rocky Point Park run from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on June 21st.

Last year, there was a Coast Salish House Post Blessing Ceremony and Feast from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The event was a celebration of three carved house posts that were raised along the shore of the Burrard Inlet. There was a traditional feast, drumming and dancing, a book sale and more. It doesn’t look like these evening festivities are happening in 2025.

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 normally 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 years that the feast happens, attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets, plates and eating utensils. There are typically tables and chairs for people to sit at too, 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. Attendees enjoy a meal of salmon or beef, a rice dish and a small jam-filled pastry dessert.

Tickets for the feast are required, but they are usually available on-site to everyone who wants them.

Other Entertainment

A couple of local First Nations groups provide entertainment. In 2024 the performers included M’Girls, Children of Takaya, Coast Salish Wolfpack, and more.