19 - Attend an Indigenous Community Event
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This series of blog posts is inspired by the list 21 Things You Can Do to Change the World created by Bob Joseph in his book 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act. Focusing on actionable steps, these blog posts will take each step and provide links, contacts, and suggestion lists.
Scroll through our recent 21 Things posts here.
The next action we are highlighting is: Attend an Indigenous Community Event
Events and celebrations are central to many cultures around the world. The Indigenous communities of the Lower Mainland, no less. Across the Lower Mainland, there are many events hosted by Indigenous groups, ranging from art exhibitions to educational classes, to traditional cultural events.
For non-Indigenous, these events are a great way to immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, allowing one to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the many rich cultures and histories of the local Indigenous groups.
MUSEUMS
BC is home to multiple museums specializing in Indigenous artwork and cultural heritage. These locations are prime spots for people wanting to experience, or learn more about, the details of local Indigenous culture. They often hold events, where one can learn more about specific aspects of culture or art, making them excellent destinations for everyone.
Exhibitions – Bill Reid Gallery - Named for the esteemed Haida artist, Bill Reid, this gallery is the only one of its kind, being dedicated to contemporary, West Coast Indigenous artwork. The gallery features a number of rotating exhibits that contemplate many aspects of Indigenous life through a variety of artistic forms. You can find out more about their current exhibitions as well as upcoming and past exhibitions online, they offer special admissions deals during certain occasions as well.
Home - Museum of Anthropology at UBC - The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is home to a wide range of Indigenous artifacts and artwork, many by Bill Reid. Although temporarily closed for seismic upgrading for much of 2023, the MOA is a local hallmark of Indigenous artwork and culture.
EVENT CATALOGUES
Listed are a variety of event catalogues that list and advertise local Indigenous events. These events range from serious academic discussions on aspects of Indigenous culture and its interactions with the western societies that attempted to erase it, to workshops for all ages. There is sure to be something for everyone who is looking to attend Indigenous events in the Lower Mainland.
British Columbia, Canada Indigenous Events | Eventbrite - Filtered to show just Indigenous events, here is a listing of many events across BC. Included are events for all ages, from talks and discussions, to workshops. Large festivals and celebrations are also listed.
Public Programs – Bill Reid Gallery - The Bill Reid Gallery offers a number of events throughout the year. Here you can find a wide variety of talks, workshops, and demonstrations by local Indigenous artists. Sometimes even tours by the curators are offered. These events are time limited, and some have been known to sell out, so make sure to check back regularly, and book early for events you are interested in.
Home - Museum of Anthropology at UBC - The Museum of Anthropology regularly holds different events on Indigenous culture and artwork. Here you can find some of the events on offer. These range from talks and demonstrations, to academic discussions about the nature of Indigenous art. There is something for everyone.
Events - Indigenous Portal (ubc.ca) - UBC hosts many Indigenous events, such as talks and discussions about the differences between Indigenous cultural values, and how it effects students enrolled in mainstream western education. You can find these events, as well as others, and when they are hosted online.
Events in BC | Indigenous Tourism BC (indigenousbc.com) - This is perhaps the best catalogue of Indigenous events from all across the province of British Columbia. Note that some events listed may be for Indigenous community members only, however, most are open to all. Artistic showcases, demonstrations of traditional techniques, Powwows, and other events are often happening, make sure to check back frequently if you are interested.
BOOKABLE EVENTS
Some locations offer bookable events for you or a group. Listed are some of the options in British Columbia for those who desire a curated experience where you can learn about Indigenous culture. Options are available for many age ranges, or group sizes.
First Nations Programming | Grouse Mountain - The Peak of Vancouver - Grouse Mountain, located not far from North Vancouver offers multiple option for tours and presentations discussing the local Indigenous culture. They offer multiple options for different age ranges and group sizes, with events changing depending on the seasons as well. You will have the opportunity to listen to stories and songs, as well as hear first hand accounts of the Residential School System. There are also options for shorter or longer events.
CULTURAL EVENTS
There are many important days throughout the year that mark important events in Indigenous culture. Find below some examples of events that take place throughout the year, many of these events are held in multiple cities across BC, so there is sure to be one local to you.
Indigenous Peoples Day in Surrey | Vancouver's Best Places (vancouversbestplaces.com) - Hosted every year on the 21st of June, this events celebrates the Indigenous cultures of the Lower Mainland in a huge, all day event. Featured events include performances, food, and other entertainment. Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association - FRAFCA - Home | Facebook You can likely find more information closer to the time of the event here.
Annual Osprey Festival - Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia - The Osprey Festival is an annual festival hosted for free in North Vancouver during the summer. It is open to the general public, encouraging people to come and learn about Indigenous culture and reconciliation. There are multiple stages located around the trails it is hosted on. A wide variety of events, performances, and talks are held during the festival.
About Talking Stick Festival - Full Circle: First Nations Performance - The Talking Stick Festival is hosted annually by Full Circle, a group that curated many Indigenous performances during the year. Their Talking Stick Festival is the culmination of it all, with a range of performances from both Full Circle, and outside organizations. Each year has a different theme and unique performances. Last year’s theme was “Come Together.” Be sure to check their website for up-to-date festival times, as the Talking Stick Festival is not hosted during the same season, or on the same dates every year.
These blog posts are designed to be a starting point to help people throughout our community of Coquitlam toward the path of reconciliation and allyship. We encourage everyone to do their own reading and research. Want to learn more? Check out the Indigenous Relations Academy, which has books, training, and resources. You can also purchase 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act here.