From: of Indigenous Health and Rural and Remote
Saturday June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD). It is a day to listen, learn, recognize, and celebrate the many unique cultures, rich traditional knowledge, languages, traditions, experiences, and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across what is colonially known today as Canada.
NIPD coincides with the Summer Solstice on Friday, June 20. For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have had an intricate, respectful, spiritual, and protective tie to the land. This connection to land is linked to the seasons – fall, winter, spring and summer. It's the seasons that bring out the unique characteristics of each territory, including different foods, medicines, and animals that live in harmony with the seasons and the calendar. When the sun shines brightest and highest, the summer solstice marks the beginning of summer, a time of abundance, celebration, and community.
Indigenous populations have faced significant challenges throughout history, including surviving the Ice Age, adapting to the "Great Flood" as described in their traditions, and enduring the devastating impacts of smallpox, which decimated Indigenous populations upon European contact. Despite these challenges, Indigenous communities have persevered through generations, showing incredible strength.
While it is essential to recognize and work to address the negative impacts of colonialism on Indigenous Peoples, it is also important to recognize and uplift the many vibrant ways Indigenous Peoples contribute to our communities and Canadian culture. If you see a NIPD-advertised event, it is an invitation for all Canadians to join local Indigenous celebrations. Indigenous peoples demonstrate remarkable grace by sharing through song, dance, knowledge, and protocols, allowing them not only to preserve Indigenous heritage but also to educate others about their values and ways of life.
Ways you can participate in the day and learn more:
- Listen to an Indigenous podcast
- Watch an Indigenous-made film or the short video Lewkungen Place to Smoke Herring
- Explore the interactive map of language territories and learn to say a word, phrase or sing a song in a variety of different Indigenous languages
- Research and learn more about the land you live on
- Buy from local Indigenous artists, catering companies, or food trucks:
- Royal Jubilee Hospital – Victoria Indigenous Pop-Up Collective
Date: Friday, June 27, 2025 | Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Atrium, Patient Care Centre, Royal Jubilee Hospital
Island Health’s Celebrations
- Saanich Peninsula Hospital – National Indigenous Peoples Day
Date: Wednesday, June 18 | Time: 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm - Comox Valley Hospital – Traditional Garden with Elder Barb Whyte
Date: Friday, June 20 | Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Attend a National Indigenous Peoples Day event in your local community
- Royal Roads University – National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations
Date: Friday, June 20, 2025 | Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- K'ómoks First Nation - National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025 | Time: 12:00 - 9:00 pm - Cowichan Tribes – National Indigenous Peoples Day
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025 | Time: 11:00 am
Location: Si’em Lelum Soccer Fields
- Salt Spring Island - Indigenous Peoples Weekend
Date: June 21 - 22, 2025
Location: Multiple locations on Salt Spring Island - Tseshaht First Nation
Date: Friday, June 20, 2025 | Time: 11:00 am
Location: 1.) The Paper Mill dam (Tseshaht side) 2.) The Maht Mahs
Please get in touch with Roman Frank Sr, (Ahousaht Nation, Manager, Indigenous Health) if you are available to volunteer your time to help make this a successful event. - Vancouver and the lower mainland
- Kelowna
Let’s honour and celebrate the stories, achievements, resilience and beauty of all Indigenous Peoples in Canada, upon whose land we live, work and learn. Supervisors are encouraged to support their employees in attending community events and dedicating time to learn and reflect.