Home Metro Vancouver Municipalities and Parts of Town The City of Richmond, BC Richmond’s Steveston Village Richmond’s Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston Village Gulf of Georgia Cannery Events in Steveston Village National Indigenous Peoples Day in Richmond

National Indigenous Peoples Day in Richmond

Indigenous Cultural Event at the Cannery

Richmond celebrates National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in June.

In 2026, the main event is Keystone Culture: a National Indigenous Peoples x Orca Action Month Celebration. The event takes place on Saturday, June 13th. Admission to both the museum and the event is free that day.

The Cannery is also open on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Sunday, June 21st. Special film screenings take place that day too.

This year’s event format is different from past years. In 2026, the focus is on Indigenous-led marine stewardship and marine life conservation.

 

For the latest 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 2026 the Cannery celebrates National Indigenous History Month throughout June. It also marks National Indigenous Peoples Day with special programming.

The main celebration, called Keystone Culture: a National Indigenous Peoples x Orca Action Month Celebration, takes place on Saturday, June 13th, from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Admission is free for all ages.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21st every year. The Cannery is holding its main celebration the week before. This is to respect personal gatherings and Indigenous community events that take place closer to June 21st.

 

Cannery on Indigenous Peoples Day
Inside the Cannery on Indigenous Peoples Day

 

What to Expect

There is a wide range of activities happening at the Cannery during their National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.

The 2026 June 13th event celebrates Indigenous culture, community and marine stewardship. Visitors can expect dancing, drumming, music, cultural performances and an Indigenous artist market.

Expect to see anywhere from a few dozen to 200 people at any given time enjoying performances and exhibits. The atmosphere at the Cannery is always welcoming, educational, and family-friendly.

This year’s event also connects with Orca Action Month. Visitors can learn about Indigenous-led work to protect marine life and coastal ecosystems. There is also a presentation by artist and researcher Stephany Clouatre-Groleau.

The event is great for families because admission to the Cannery is free for all ages on June 13th.

 

June 13th Event Schedule

The full schedule for the Keystone Culture event in 2026 is below. Exact times and details are subject to change.

  • 11:00 am to 3:30 pm – Indigenous Artist Market
  • 11:00 am to 12:00 pm – Live Music by DJ Well Kept (Outdoors)
  • 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm – Welcome, Dancing & Drumming (Indoor Stage)
  • 1:15 pm to 1:45 pm – Live Dancing and Drumming (Outdoors)
  • 1:45 pm to 3:30 pm – Skateboarding Talks and Shows with Live Music by DJ Well Kept (Outdoors)
  • 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Yoga Workshop

 

For full details about this year’s Indigenous events in June, see the Gulf of Georgia Cannery‘s website.

 

Orca Installation in June

In addition to the June 13th event, the Cannery has a special Orca installation on show throughout June. The installation is part of National Indigenous History Month and Orca Action Month.

The Cannery’s installation features work by Algonquin researcher and artist Stephany Clouatre-Groleau. Her piece represents Kelp, a Southern Resident Killer Whale.

Visiting the installation is included with regular museum admission. It can be admired for most of June, although exact dates are to be confirmed.

 

Tetsu Taiko Japanese Drummers

 

Museum Hours and Admission

The main Keystone Culture celebration on June 13th is free for all ages.

The month-long Orca Action Month installation is included with regular admission. At the time of writing, regular admission is $14.75 for adults and $12.50 for seniors. Youth ages 17 and under get free admission. Society members also get in free.

The museum is usually open daily from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

 

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 makes it an especially good time to visit. Between performances, visitors can 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 is the space’s flexibility. With both indoor and outdoor areas, the event is able to continue comfortably even when weather conditions are less than ideal.

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

 

Tips and Things to Know

Listed below are some tips for your visit to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery during Indigenous Peoples Month.

TIP #1: Visit the Cannery on June 13th, 2026, if you want the main free celebration.

TIP #2: Check the Cannery website before going. Exact installation dates and some program details may still be updated.

TIP #3: Go on June 21st if you want to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day itself and to see the special film screenings.

TIP #4: Dress warmly if you plan to spend time inside the Cannery. The building can be cooler than outside.

TIP #5: Paid parking is available at the Cannery’s lot at Chatham Street and Fourth Avenue. There is also limited free street parking in Steveston.

 

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. Although the event format has changed, it gives you an idea of what you might expect.

 

 

Other Information

To learn more about the venue and the Indigenous celebrations 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.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following:

Other websites that might also be of interest are VancouverMuseums.ca and VancouverForKids.ca.