Events to Celebrate National Indigenous History Month
- JulienC
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
June is National Indigenous History month, a time we actively encourage people to engage and participate with the many different Indigenous cultures we have across the land we call Canada. Below is a collection of public events that offer the opportunity to learn, experience, and celebrate Indigenous cultures and histories.
Gathered: SD#22 Indigenous Students Exhibition
Open until June 13th
The Vernon Public Art Gallery is hosting Gathered, which celebrates artwork by Indigenous students from elementary through high school within School District No. 22. The exhibition opened on May 22nd, and will run until June 13th.
This exhibition highlights a wide range of media, and reflects both traditional knowledge and contemporary influences, with many students drawing from their cultural heritage while engaging with present-day themes and personal experiences. The result is a vibrant and diverse collection that speaks to identity, community, and the evolving nature of Indigenous art.
Gathered can be viewed at the Vernon Public Art Gallery, and admission is by donation. More information about the exhibition can be found here.
Redefining the Perspective Exhibition
June 5th to June 26th
The IRP will be holding our annual Redefining the Perspective exhibition to showcase all forms of Indigenous art with the aim of broadening perceptions of what Indigenous artists’ work looks like. This exhibition is put on in partnership with the Kamloops Art Council and Indigenous Youth Roots organization.
There will be an opening reception on June 7th from 1pm to 3pm.
Redefining the Perspective can be found in the Kamloops Arts Council's Courthouse Gallery, and admission is by donation. More information about this exhibition can be found on the IRP website here.
Komasket Powwow
June 6th to 8th, various times
Join the Okanagan Indian Band in its celebration of the 3rd annual Komasket Powwow.
Participants can enjoy dancing and drumming, as well as specials such as the Honour Song hosted by School District No. 22, a Switch Dance, a Tiny Tots Special. There will also be vendors selling food, arts, crafts, and apparel.
The powwow will be held at the Komasket Arbour in Vernon; admission is free, and camping for the weekend is $20. More information about this powwow can be found here.
Kúme Exhibition
June 6th to August 23rd
The Salmon Arm Arts Centre will be hosting Kúme, which is the second of three exhibitions focused on displacement of Indigenous plants, animals, and people.
The exhibition features work from ten BC artists, including Tania Willard, a Secwépemc artist who was named a Forge Project Fellow in 2022 for her land-based, community-engaged artistic practice.
An opening reception will be held on June 7th from 11am to 1pm, and an Artist Talk will be held on June 19th from 4pm to 6pm.
Kúme also includes hands-on learning in partnership with Theatre on the Edge. Participants are invited to gather materials and learn from Secwépemc Knowledge Sharer to honour our personal pride as First Nations and share our beautiful culture and territory with the world and the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society team, about sustainable harvesting and specific plant knowledge. Performances, demonstrations, and hands-on learning will take place on June 14th and 15th.
The exhibition and all activities will be held at the Salmon Arm Arts Centre, and admission is by donation. More information about this exhibition can be found here.
ImagineNATIVE Online Film Festival
June 9th to 15th
Toronto-based Indigenous film festival, imagineNATIVE, will be running its 25th Festival both in-person and online.
Featured films include horror, comedies, tearjerkers, documentaries, and dedications to honour revolutionaries, activists, and our land and waters.
Online passes are $50, and allow participants to watch films during the online festival. More information can be found here.
National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
June 21st, 10am to 3pm
Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, in partnership with Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services, Two Rivers Métis Society, ASK Wellness Society, and the City of Kamloops, will be putting on a celebration for National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Participants can enjoy include drumming, dancing, singing, jigging, Elder bingo, storytelling, face painting, and an aerial light show. There will also be food trucks, artisan vendors, bounce houses, and a magician.
The celebration will be held at the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Arbour, and admission is free. More information about this event can be found here.
Métis Rendezvous
June 21st, 11am to 4pm
Join the Métis Community Services Society of BC in partnership with the City of Kelowna to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with the Métis Rendezvous.
Participants can enjoy jigging, a 50/50 draw, a Tipi Raising Ceremony, a Sashing Ceremony, and other cultural activities. There will also be various performances, food, and an Indigenous Vendors Market.
The rendezvous will be held at the
Kelowna City Park, and admission is free. More information about this event can be found here.
Echoes of the Homesick Heart Screening
June 22nd, 12pm to 3pm
Western Canada Theatre, in partnership with the Kamloops Film Society, is proud to present a screening of Echoes of the Homesick Heart. This story is based on 40 in-person interviews conducted throughout the Secwépemc Nation by playwright Laura Michel, who explores generational connections and disconnections between language, culture, and community.
The screening will feature a presentation of the filmed 2022 production, as well as a panel discussion with theatre artists, musical artists, and language specialists, including. The IRP will also be displaying
The screening will be held at the Paramount Theatre, and admission is by a minimum $5 donation. All proceeds go towards a bursary to support emerging Secwépemc scholars committed to sustaining and reclaiming their language. More information about this screening can be found here.
Kamloopa Powwow
June 27th to 29th
The Kamloopa Powwow Society will be hosting the 44nd annual Kamloopa Powwow to celebrate the vibrancy Indigenous culture.
There will be an estimated 500 dancers and drummers from all across Turtle Island, as well as food and artisan vendors. Additionally, this year special guests from New Zealand's Wainuiomata High School will perform the traditional Maori Kapa Haka.
Parking is available on-site, and tickets can be purchased at the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Arbour gate; admission is $15 per day or $40 for a weekend pass. More information about the powwow can be found here.
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