On behalf of: Indigenous Health and Rural & Remote Operations
Sunday, June 21st, is National Indigenous Peoples Day. 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.
National Indigenous Peoples Day coincides with the summer solstice. 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 Peoples 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
Attend a National Indigenous Peoples Day Event:
Local Indigenous Artists:
- Victoria General Hospital - Victoria Indigenous Pop-Up Collective
June 17, 2026 – 10 am – 2pm
Medicine Heart Drop-in Sessions:
- SPH, Cafeteria – Rooms 1815(16) - June 16, 10am – 2pm
Community Events:
- U’mista Cultural Society - Kwakwaka'wakw Resilience- June 18, 2026
- National Indigenous Peoples Day at VNFC – June 19, 2026 – 11am – 3pm
- Royal Roads University - June 19, 2026 – 10 am – 3pm
- K'ómoks First Nation - June 20, 2026 – 1pm – 8pm
- Salt Spring Island Indigenous Peoples Weekend - June 20 – 21, 2026
For Organizational Leaders:
Update Your Teams Background:
Let’s honour and celebrate the stories, achievements, resilience of all Indigenous Peoples in Canada, upon whose land we live, work and learn.