Every year since 1996, June 21 has been known as National Indigenous Peoples Day; declared through a proclamation and chosen for its significance because of the summer solstice.
While Indigenous culture is worth celebrating every day, June 21 serves as an opportunity for coming together and culture sharing. In recent years National Indigenous Peoples Day has also been a chance for non-Indigenous people to learn with more and more events becoming open to the public.
Regardless of how you decide to celebrate – whether it’s a small intimate gathering with friends, dancing on the powwow trail, watching your favourite Indigenous-made movies, buying beadwork or devouring copious amounts of salmon – every form of celebration is valid and the First Nations Health Authority would like to wish you a happy and healthy National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The following is a list of National Indigenous Peoples Day events happening across BC on June 21, 2024 – unless indicated otherwise. The list is divided by the First Nations Health Authority Regions and is not exhaustive.
Vancouver Coastal Region
- Ambleside Park, North Vancouver: 4-8:30 p.m.
- Grandview Park, Vancouver: 12-4 p.m.
- Carnegie Community Centre, Vancouver: 12-6 p.m.
- Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Whistler: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Vancouver Island Region
- Si’em Lelum Soccer Field, Duncan: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- 3535 Bayside Road, Courtenay: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, Courtenay: 2-8 p.m.
- Royal Roads University, Victoria: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Agricultural Hall Grounds, Mayne Island: 4-5 p.m.
Fraser Salish Region
- Civic Square, Burnaby: 3-7 p.m.
- Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, Surrey: 3-8 p.m.
- Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Moody Park, New Westminster: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- June 22, Rocky Point Park, Port Moody: 5-9 p.m.
Interior Region
- Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Special Events Arbour, Kamloops: 4-10 p.m.
- Neskonlith powwow arbour, Chase: 7 p.m. grand entry
- 400 Block of Leon Ave, Kelowna: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Northern Region
- Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, Prince George: 12-8 p.m.
- Riverside Park, Vanderhoof: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Rotary Waterfront Park, Prince Rupert: 12-8 p.m.
- Dze L K’ant Cultural Centre Hall, Smithers: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Spirit Square, Burns Lake: 10 a.m.-11:59 p.m.
- June 22, George Little Park, Terrace: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
