Indigenous Cultural Event at the Cannery

Richmond celebrates National Indigenous People’s Day at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery with First Nations performances and cultural activities in June.

National Indigenous Peoples Day falls on June 21st in 2026. In past years, however, the Cannery has hosted its Indigenous celebration on an earlier date in June. In 2025, the free event was called The Water We Call Home and took place on June 14th. It featured cultural performances, storytelling sessions, film screenings, and more. A similar event is expected to return in 2026.

For full details about the event, see the Gulf of Georgia Cannery‘s website.

National Indigenous Peoples Day at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Located in Richmond’s Steveston Village at 12138 Fourth Avenue, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is a museum showcasing local history and the region’s salmon-canning past. The National Historic Site hosts a number of special events each year.

In 2025 The Water We Call Home took place on Saturday, June 14th. The First Nations-centred celebration ran from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, with free museum admission available all day from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. A similar schedule is expected if the event returns in 2026.

Inside the Cannery on Indigenous Peoples Day

What to Expect at the Event

In past years, there has typically been a wide range of activities happening at the Cannery during National Indigenous Peoples Day or in the days leading up to it

Based on our experience in past years, you can usually expect to see anywhere from a few dozen to 200 people at any given time enjoying various performances. Activities have included First Nations storytelling, singing, and drumming.

An outdoor stage has usually been set up for performances, along with a few information booths from organizations such as Parks Canada and the Port of Vancouver. Seating has been limited, so most attendees have stood while watching performances. The atmosphere has been welcoming, educational, and family-friendly. It will likely be the same again in 2026.

Tetsu Taiko Japanese Drummers

Event Schedule

Below is the schedule from the 2025 event, provided as a reference. Times and programming are subject to change each year.

10:00 am – Film Screening (We Have Stories)
11:00 am – Chibi Taiko Japanese Drumming
11:15 am – Indigenous Welcome (by Mary Point from the Musqueam Nation)
11:30 am – Cannery Welcome
12:15 pm – Storytelling Circle
2:15 pm – “Something Fishy”
3:30 pm – Giving Thanks and Closing
4:00 pm – Film Screening (We Have Stories)

Film screenings, drumming performances, an Indigenous welcome, storytelling circles, and a closing ceremony took place throughout the day. In addition, visitors could explore community art projects, Indigenous market vendors, and cultural displays.

If the event returns in 2026, a similar mix of performances and activities is expected.

Strengths of the Event

One of the biggest strengths of the event has been the venue itself. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is a fascinating museum, and free admission on National Indigenous Peoples Day has made it an especially good time to visit. Between performances, visitors have been able to explore the exhibits at their own pace. (Note: Admission is also free on other days of the year for youth ages 17 and younger.)

Another advantage has been the space’s flexibility. With both indoor and outdoor areas, the event has been able to continue comfortably even when weather conditions were less than ideal.

The Cannery’s location in Steveston Village has also added to the experience. Many visitors have combined their visit with a waterfront walk, a stop at the docks, or time at the nearby shops and restaurants. Overall, the program has been well-paced, informative, and enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

Indigenous Dancing at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery — Eagle Connection Dancers Outside the Cannery

Event Video

This video shows scenes from an Indigenous event at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery from a few years ago. The footage was recorded before COVID-19. The group you’ll see performing in this video is the Eagle Connection Dancers.

Other Information

To learn more about the venue and the Indigenous celebration in June, see the Gulf of Georgia Cannery‘s website.

For a list of other events at the National Historic Site at other times of the year, see our article about Gulf of Georgia Cannery Events.

To learn about other venues with events celebrating First Nations’ culture on or around June 21st, click National Indigenous People’s Day in Vancouver.

For ideas about other things to do near the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, check out our articles about Richmond and Steveston Village.

At other times of the year, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery hosts a special Halloween event in October and the Steveston Festival of Trees in December. They also usually have something special at Spring Break and Easter.

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