National Indigenous Peoples Day

See the full schedule of events.

The NIPD celebrations on these Lands are rooted in traditional cultural practices, when waterways were roadways between communities. Families would travel by canoe and wait to be greeted from the shores by the community they were wishing to visit. The canoe landing protocol brings this tradition to life as hosts and visitors share, learn, and celebrate together.

• 10 a.m. Canoe Landing Protocol and welcoming ceremony on the shore of the Esquimalt Lagoon.Led by Lekwungen Elder Butch Dick, who will be joined by guests and family members from the Lekwungen and Xwsepsum Nations
• 11 a.m. the Lekwungen celebration song and official stage opening 
• 11 a.m. The Swutth’tus (Max Henry Sr.) Canoe Challenge, testing the skills of 15 partner teams using eight canoes to navigate tight turns and return to shore safely.

We encourage our RRU community to bring their families, friends, and children to enjoy the day. Activities on the grounds will include children’s field games, a craft tent, vendors market, an interactive Métis showcase, and storytelling and songs in Tipi. There will be an Elders’ tent and traditional plant walks on Charlie’s Trail along Colwood Creek with Cowichan Elder Kenneth Elliott.

There will also be food trucks on site. 

If you can't join us on campus, you can watch the livestream starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.