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 2026 co-hosts and partners
Event information
Date
Friday, June 19, 2026
Time
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location
Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Road, Colwood
Admission
Everyone is welcome, and admission is free.
Schedule of events
10 a.m.
- LekwungenTraditional Dancers and Singers performance at shore stage.
10:30 a.m.
- Welcome ceremony, traditional welcome and opening remarks on the shore stage
- Opening Prayer
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:
- Joyful Jiggers with Calvin Cairns
- Esquimalt Singers and Dancers
- Nate Harris
- Zero Whonnock
- Ahousaht Drummers and Singers
- Traditional plant walk on Charlie's Trail along Colwood Creek with Cowichan Elder Kenneth Elliott
All day
- Canoe challenges
- Children’s field games (Ultimate and Golf Canada)
- Lahal Game Demonstration
- Children's craft tent
- Frybread station
- Food trucks (food & beverages for purchase)
- Vendors market, partner displays and more!
2:45 p.m.
- Closing ceremony
*Please note third party drone use cannot be accommodated at this event.
School registration
We welcome all students!
Registration is required to help us manage capacity and ensure everyone’s safety.
Educators planning to bring classes must register by Friday, June 12. Please submit a separate registration for each class, even if they are from the same school.
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.
Parking and shuttle service
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. On-campus shuttle services (including golf carts) operate between parking lots and the event site. View the shuttle service map.
The Belmont Gate, located in East Campus, will be closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians. All vehicles other than shuttles will be prohibited from driving down University Drive past Central Parking. Members of the RRU Security team will be on site to direct traffic. All parking on campus is free for the day.
Map of the event site
View the map to find the main stage, Indigenous vendor market, food trucks and more.