National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations

Reconnecting Community and Celebrating Together

A warm invitation for a day of fun and community relations on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

Celebrate with us!

An invitation from 2025 co-hosts and partners

A dancer performs at NIPD celebrations.

Event information

 

Date

Friday, June 20, 2025

 

Time

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Location

Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Road, Colwood

 
Admission

Everyone is welcome, and admission is free.

 
School registration

We welcome all schools! 

Advance registration is required to ensure everyone’s safety and to manage capacity. All educators wishing to bring their schools or classes must register by Friday, June 13. For questions please email Katie Gaetz, curriculum coordinator, Na'tsa'maht Indigenous Education, Sooke School District. Shortly after your registration has been received, you will receive an email with further details regarding transportation and the day's schedule of activities.

Register your class today!

 

Parking

Limited parking is available. Please consider taking public transit or walking or cycling to Royal Roads along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Accessible parking will be available for those with a valid permit and shuttle service between campus parking lots and the event site will be available for the duration of the event.

 

Schedule of events

10 a.m.
  • Lekwungen Traditional Dancers and Singers performance at the shore stage
10:30 a.m.
  • Welcome ceremony
10:40 a.m.
  • Traditional canoe landing protocol practice on the shore of the Esquimalt Lagoon led by Lekwungen (Songhees Nation) Elder Butch Dick.
12 p.m.
  • Field stage opens for performances (details to come)
  • Traditional plant walks on Charlie's Trail along Colwood Creek with Cowichan Elder Kenneth Elliott
All Day
  • Canoe challenges
  • Children's field games
  • Children's craft tent
  • Frybread station
  • Food trucks (food and beverage for purchase)
  • Vendors market, partner displays and more!
3 p.m.
  • Closing ceremony

*Schedule subject to change

Map of the site

Event map coming soon!