Connect with community: 2023 NIPD celebrations
The co-hosts of National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023 celebrations extend a warm invitation for a day of fun and community relations on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen speaking families and ancestors of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 at the Royal Roads University campus.
Everyone is welcome and admission is free. The National Indigenous Peoples Day 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 of the community they wished to visit. The canoe landing protocol practice held at the start of the celebration brings this tradition to life as hosts and visitors share, learn and celebrate together.
The program begins at 10 a.m. with the Lekwungen Drummers and Singers, welcome and prayers, followed by a traditional canoe landing protocol practice on the shore of the Esquimalt Lagoon led by Lekwungen Elder Butch Dick, joined by Lekwungen Speaking people from Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. To follow at 11:45 a.m. is the Lekwungen celebration song and official stage opening with singers and dancers, with stage performances throughout the day.
The Swutth’tus (Max Henry Sr.) Canoe Challenge starting at 12:30 p.m. will test the skills of ten partner teams, taking turns using eight canoes to navigate tight turns and return to shore safely.
Activities on the grounds throughout the day will bring opportunities to gather, play, learn and enjoy food together. Taking place until closing at 3 p.m. are children’s field games and craft tent, a frybread station, a vendor’s market, a Button Blanket Workshop, food trucks (food/beverages for purchase), an interactive Métis showcase and storytelling and songs in Tipi, an Elders’ tent and traditional plant walks on Charlie’s Trail along Colwood Creek with Cowichan Elder Siilnahumut Kenneth Elliott and Elder Earl Claxton from Tsawout First Nation.
The theme for this year is love, joy and unity: embracing community on National Indigenous Peoples Day. This annual event is a demonstration of that embrace and has grown over the last decade, with community enthusiasm and continued support from partners, sponsors and volunteers.
With limited parking available on site, the public is encouraged to take public transit, walk or cycle along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. On-campus transportation between event locations is available for Elders and guests who need assistance.
The event is co-hosted by Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, Camosun College, Capital Regional District (CRD), City of Colwood, First Nations Vision (BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union), Indigenous Perspectives Society Centre of Excellence in Community Education (IPS), Island Métis Family & Community Services Society, Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC), M’akola Housing Society, Métis Nation of Greater Victoria, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Ocean Spirit Canoe Family, Power to Be, Royal Roads University, Sooke Family Resource Society, Sooke School District 62 (NA'TSA'MAHT Indigenous Education), University of Victoria, Vancity Credit Union, Victoria Native Friendship Centre and West Shore Parks & Recreation.