What To Do This National Indigenous History Month in Vancouver
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, and there are endless ways to mark the occasion.
We’ve gathered a list of where to find 2026 events happening around the city. You can also celebrate by visiting Indigenous-owned businesses, dining at Indigenous-owned restaurants, taking Indigenous-led tours, and exploring Indigenous art in Vancouver, among other attractions!
This year, National Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day overlap with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ dates. If you’re in town for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ tournament, attending Indigenous History Month events is a great way to learn about and honour Indigenous culture in Vancouver.
What is National Indigenous History Month?
This month-long celebration is an important time for all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to come together and honour the excellence, cultures, histories, and futures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in what is now Canada. It’s also a time to celebrate all Indigenous Peoples across the world.
The city of Vancouver is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. National Indigenous History Month offers meaningful opportunities to attend Indigenous-led events and experiences in Vancouver, and to broaden your knowledge of living, vibrant Indigenous cultures.
Indigenous Peoples Day Events Happening During Indigenous History Month
Each year, many Indigenous Peoples Day events are held around the city on the weekend of June 20-21.
2026 marks the 30th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day, and everybody is welcome to join in on the celebrations. If you’re feeling energetic, you can even try to visit more than one!
Indigenous Peoples Day Events Happening During Indigenous History Month
National Indigenous Peoples Day at Grandview Park
- What: The largest Indigenous Peoples Day event in Vancouver, with live cultural performances and an Indigenous vendors market.
- Where: The event takes place at Grandview Park, in the Commercial Drive area. The day begins with a walk from the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre Society to Grandview Park.
- When: June 21, from 12PM-4PM. Visit the Britannia Community Centre website for more details.
National Indigenous Peoples Day at the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líl̓wat7úl Cultural Centre
- What: The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líl̓wat7úl Cultural Centre (SLCC) will be holding a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. Here, you’ll find exciting cultural programming, an artist market, and stunning Indigenous artworks in the Gallery and Giftshop.
- Where: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líl̓wat7úl Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler.
- When: June 21. Visit the SLCC website for more details.
National Indigenous Peoples Day at Civic Square in Burnaby
- What: A family-friendly, free community celebration for National Indigenous Peoples Day. You can expect dance, live music, storytelling, and an Indigenous artisans market.
- Where: Civic Square in Burnaby.
- When: June 20
Other Cultural Events Happening During (or Around) National Indigenous Peoples Month
Chief Ernie Campbell Memorial Musqueam Canoe Races
- What: Join in on the spirit of friendly competition and community celebration! The Musqueam Nation’s vibrant weekend of canoe races welcomes hundreds of participants from Indigenous communities near and far, along with many excited spectators.
- Where: Spectators are welcome to watch from the beach just behind the Musqueam Cultural Centre, located at 4000 Musqueam Avenue.
- When: June 12-14
XUUYA: Raven Brings the Light 2026
- What: XUUYA: Raven Brings the Light 2026 is a unique fundraising evening of Indigenous art, music, food, and performance in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. Think curated wine and food tastings, hip-hop from Mandy Nahanee-Campbell (Lady Sinncere), and exciting 2Spirit drag performances.
- When: June 4, 6:30-9:30PM
- Where: Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
Squamish Nation Youth Pow-Wow
- What: The Squamish Nation Youth Pow-Wow, an all ages friendly dance competition powwow, is open to visitors and spectators of all ethnicities, with traditional foods and 100+ vendors selling a wide variety of goods.
- When: July 10, 11 & 12
- Where: This year, the event will take place at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre and Ḵw’eshḵw’shétsutay̓ (Playing Place), near West Vancouver.
Where to Admire and Shop for Indigenous Art in Vancouver
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
- What: An Indigenous-owned gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous art and the larger-than-life works of Haida artist Bill Reid. It’s also the only Gallery in Canada dedicated to the Northwest Coast!
- When: Visit for regularly rotating Indigenous-curated exhibitions and year-round access to the permanent sculpture collection. Open 7 days a week, 10AM-5PM.
- Where: Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
- What: Over 50,000 cultural objects, many of which originate in Coast Salish cultures from the area of what is now called Vancouver, with many exhibits curated by, or in collaboration with, Indigenous curators.
- When: Open 7 days a week, 10AM-5PM. Open until 9PM on Thursdays.
- Where: Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Wickaninnish Gallery
- What: Founded in 1987 by Patricia Rivard, the Indigenous-owned Wickaninnish Gallery showcases the artwork of emerging and established Indigenous artists, with high-quality, affordable Indigenous art, gifts, moccasins, and hand-engraved sterling silver jewellery to shop for.
- Where: Inside the Net Loft, on Granville Island.
Spirit Gallery
- What: Spirit Gallery was established in 1991, and has been offering a vast selection of West Coast Native Art from both renowned and emerging artists ever since. The gallery is owned and operated by Erin Sam and renowned Squamish/Kwakwaka’wakw artist Klatle-bhi.
- Where: Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, near the picturesque waterfront of Howe Sound.
Where to Embark on Indigenous Tours in Vancouver
Taking an Indigenous-led tour is a unique way to get outside and learn about the culture, history and traditions of the land beneath your feet.
Takaya Tours
- What: Takaya Tours offers memorable ways to experience the culture of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation on the water. You can paddle the waters of Indian Arm in a 35-foot traditional style ocean-going canoe while your guides share traditional songs, tell stories, and point out Indigenous village sites.
- Where: In addition to their Burrard Inlet tours, Takaya Tours also offer combined walking and paddling tours on their home territory near North Vancouver, and at the Belcarra Park Paddling Centre, a 20-minute drive from downtown Coquitlam.
Talaysay Tours
- What: Talaysay Tours, owned by members of the local Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and neighbouring Shíshálh (Sechelt) Nations, invites visitors to discover Indigenous culture and explore nature through their fun, inspirational and educational storytelling tours.
- Where: With tours of Stanley Park, Whytecliff Park, Whistler and more, these tours offer a unique way to mindfully connect with the earth under your feet.
Bonus! If you can’t make it to a tour in person, the groundbreaking Talaysay Tours app allows you to share in generations of oral history and teachings at your own pace from anywhere in the world.
Where to Eat Delicious Indigenous Cuisine in Vancouver
Vancouver is known as a food destination worldwide, and the Indigenous cuisine and artisanal food options here are an integral part of this diverse culinary landscape.
From Vancouver’s only Indigenous restaurant, Salmon n’ Bannock, to Bannock food trucks like Mr. Bannock and West Coast Bannock, there’s something for everybody here.
So why not chow down on some delicious Indigenous foods as part of your Indigenous History Month celebrations? Check out our more detailed round-up of Indigenous cuisine and artisanal foods in Vancouver for the full scoop.
As you can see, Indigenous communities and cultures here on Coast Salish territory are thriving. From the energy of Indigenous History Month to the rhythm of everyday life, Vancouver invites you to celebrate Indigenous culture and vitality all year long.
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