National Indigenous Peoples Day
The City of Burnaby will host its annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Saturday, June 20 from 1–5 pm at Civic Square. This year’s event will take place the day prior to National Indigenous Peoples Day to better accommodate participation from Host Nations and other Indigenous people who have shared with us that June 21 is an extremely busy day or a day they prefer to celebrate in community.
Recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
Honour and recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day by joining us for a free community celebration at Civic Square (6100 Willingdon Ave, next to Bob Prittie Metrotown library).
The celebration features activities for the whole family, a variety of performances including dance, live music, fashion, storytelling and an Indigenous artisans market. Burnaby Art Gallery’s BAG on a Bike mobile printing station will also be onsite. Families can also have fun learning Indigenous games or participate in soccer drills with Hope and Health.
This family-friendly event is free to attend and everyone is welcome. With a SkyTrain station nearby, we encourage you to take transit or choose an active transportation option such as walking or cycling.
Event takes place rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Live performances
| Performance | Description |
|---|---|
| Opening ceremonies | Traditional welcome by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation Matriarch, Wendy Nahanee. As a respected cultural leader, she will ground our gathering and welcome all visitors to the unceded ancestral territories with wisdom and blessing. |
| Chinook Song Catchers | Experience the spirit of the Pacific Northwest with the Chinook Song Catchers. Grounded in their proud Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Nisg̱a’a ancestry, this family group has toured the world for over 30 years, honoring living culture through hereditary songs, dances and drumming. |
| Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack) | Discover Coast Salish traditions with a performance by Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack). This multi-generational family group shares the ancient songs, dances and stories of the Salish Sea, bringing living culture to life through drumming, dancing and song. |
| Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song Dancers) | Witness the history of the region with Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song Dancers). Representing the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, this group shares the "Chiax" (laws and protocols) of Coast Salish canoe and longhouse culture through hereditary singing, hand drumming and traditional oral histories. |
| Hayley Wallis | Hayley Wallis possesses a rich, commanding voice. Hailing from the remote island of Klemtu in the Great Bear Rainforest, she delivers storytelling that bridges her Indigenous identity with music and song. |
| JB the First Lady | JB the First Lady is a member of the Nuxalk and Onondaga Nations. She is a Vancouver-based hip hop and spoken word artist, beat-boxer, cultural dancer and youth educator. |
| Madelaine McCallum | Madelaine McCallum is a Métis dancer and movement leader. Celebrated for traditional Métis dance and her love for all movement forms, she empowers audiences through energetic workshops like Powwow Fit and Jig Fit. |
| Notorious Cree | James Jones, widely known as Notorious Cree, is a distinguished Nehiyaw (Cree) artist hailing from Tallcree First Nation. One of the top hoop dancers in the world, he delivers a high-powered, interactive performance that fuses traditional Nehiyaw culture with contemporary mediums to promote Indigenous traditions. |
| VIFW & Supernatural Models Indigenous Fashion Show | Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) comes to Burnaby. This showcase brings Indigenous culture and fashion to the local stage through a display of traditional regalia and contemporary design celebrating Indigenous creativity and culture. |
Event information
Title: Mesneẃásen - Join Them Together
This artwork depicts the four Host Nation symbols as human beings united on a shared canoe journey. Their paddles are raised in respect toward those watching from the shore, while the Thunderbird, a reimagining of Squamish’s logo, recites protocol.
The Wolf, a central figure of Tsleil-Waututh, reaches toward the water, where their reflection appears as a human—symbolizing the connection between the natural and supernatural worlds.
Flanking the Thunderbird are two salmon beings: one of the ocean and one of the river. The blue salmon represents xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, inspired by their logo. The red spawning salmon symbolizes the Kwikwetlem Nation, referencing the translation of their name: “Red fish up the river.”
In the background, the mountains known as the Sisters anchor the scene in the Burrard Inlet, whose waters connect the host nations to each other and link Burnaby to surrounding communities.
About the Artist
Austin Aan’yas Harry is a Coast Salish Artist based in Vancouver BC, Canada. He is of the Wolf Clan from the Squamish Nation and Thunderbird Clan from the Namgis Nation. Using digital mediums such as animation, graphic design, and 3D modeling, Austin captures the stories and lessons passed down to him as a young boy, reimagining them in a contemporary context. He considers himself a storyteller first, taking an adaptable, multi-faceted approach to artmaking. Storytelling is central to his traditional heritage and weaving that into today’s art landscape is his driving passion. As Indigenous visibility on ancestral lands remains a constant struggle, Austin uses digital media to bring that fight into the global public sphere.
This low/reduced sensory space is specially designed to be a safe, calming environment for neurodivergent folks, including people with ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorders, anxiety, depression, mental health issues and more. These spaces provide customized environments for people to decompress and have much needed breaks from overwhelming sensory input (noise, crowds, smells, lighting), strong emotions and socializing.
We are introducing Bettear, a free app designed to enhance theatre and event experiences for individuals with hearing loss. At the City of Burnaby, we’re committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive and meaningful experiences for all. Find out more about the Bettear Accessiblity App.
Community members join in and learn a traditional dance.
Making prints designed by Kwikwetlem artist Sweewa with lino carved by apprentice Mike Stanley.
An Indigenous vendors market featured arts, crafts, jewelry, books and more.
Dancers from Spakwus Slolem represented Squamish Nation.
ReconciliACTION with Hope and Health.
Hands on and interactive information booths, including this one hosted by Spirit of the Children.
Creating art by colouring a design by Tsleil-Waututh artist Candace Thomas.
Enjoying delicious Bannock.
June is National Indigenous History Month
June marks an opportunity for us to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples and to learn about their histories, cultures, languages, and ways of life. Engage with Indigenous history, culture and art throughout the month of June in the following programs offered by the City of Burnaby!
Demo & Talk with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Artist Sweewa
June 4, noon-1 pm at Burnaby Art Gallery, Barn Studio
Join us for a demonstration and talk with master carver and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) artist Sweewa. This demonstration showcases his mastery of jewellery carving, using metal or repurposed coins. Sweewa walks us through his practice and engages in conversation about his life as an artist. Although this program is free, there is limited space in the studio. Registration is required.
Tea, Bannock and Bookmarks
June 13, 1-3 pm at Bob Prittie Library, Community Room
Join Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation Matriarch, Wendy Nahanee, for an afternoon of tea, bannock, culture and connection. Let’s get together for hands-on learning. Wendy will share teachings on one of the Four Sacred Medicines (the cedar tree), including its cultural significance, traditional uses and connection to wellness and land-based knowledge. Participants will also learn how to create a cedar bark bookmark with Knowledge Keeper Leonard Williams at the upcoming National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration with the City of Burnaby on June 20.
While this event is free, space is limited to the first 60 participants.
Artist Talk: Rain Cabana-Boucher
June 17, 6:30-7:30 pm at Bob Prittie Library
Join Rain Cabana-Boucher for an artist talk about her practice with a focus on drawing. Her exhibition "Proximities" is displayed on the second floor of Bob Prittie Metrotown, as part of the Burnaby Art Gallery offsite exhibitions. The drawings in this series were created alongside one another before being split apart. Through this exhibition, Cabana-Boucher explores the space between our relationships, questioning how we experience isolation while still being fundamentally connected to one another.
Indigenous Learning House
Throughout June at Burnaby Village Museum
Enjoy interactive experiences that celebrate Indigenous culture, creativity and storytelling. Create art inspired by Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers (Tuesdays at 2:30 pm), enjoy engaging Indigenous Storytime (Saturdays at 2:30 pm), and test your skills with Indigenous Games (June 16, 11:30 am–3:30 pm). Don’t miss Say My Name on June 26 (2:30–3:30 pm), a session sharing stories and teachings about the importance of names.
Thank you to our partner:
