National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations June 20 at Royal Roads

Co-hosts of National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025 celebration event will hold celebrations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 20 at the Royal Roads University Colwood campus. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. Full program and event details. 

The celebration event will be a day of fun and community connection on the traditional Lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking families and ancestors of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.  

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 were wishing 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 day begins at 10 a.m. with the Lekwungen Traditional Dancers and Singers followed by a welcome ceremony, taking place on the shore of the Esquimalt Lagoon. At 10:40 a.m., a traditional canoe landing protocol practice on the shore of the Esquimalt Lagoon led by lək̓ʷəŋən Elder Butch Dick, joined by guests and family members from the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.   

The main stage opens with cultural presentations at noon, with singers and dancers, followed by stage performances throughout the day. 

The Swutth’tus (Max Henry Sr.) Canoe Challenge starts at 12:30 p.m. and will test the skills of 16 partner teams, taking turns racing canoes to navigate tight turns and return to shore safely. The winning team will hoist the coveted wooden paddle trophy to take back to their organization to display for the year. 

Activities on the grounds throughout the day will bring opportunities to gather, play, learn and enjoy food together. The activities taking place until closing at 3 p.m. include children’s field games and craft tent, a frybread station, vendor market and food trucks (with food/beverages for purchase) and interactive cultural stations. There will be an Elders’ tent and traditional plant walks on Charlie’s Trail along Colwood Creek with Cowichan Elder Siilnahumut Kenneth Elliott.  

Royal Roads encourages visitors to take public transit, walk or cycle along the CRD Galloping Goose Regional Trail as there is extremely limited parking available on site. There will be on-campus transportation between event locations available for Elders and guests who need assistance.   

The event is co-hosted by Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation, Royal Roads University, Camosun College, Capital Regional District, City of Colwood, Indigenous Perspectives Society, Island Métis Family & Community Services Society, Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council, M'akola Housing Society, Métis Nation of Greater Victoria, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Ocean Spirit Canoe Family, Power To Be, NA'TSA'MAHT Indigenous Education, Sooke School District 62., Sooke Family Resource Society, University of Victoria, Vancity, Victoria Native Friendship Centre, West Shore Parks & Recreation    

Thank you to all our partners, contributors and vendors who make this event possible. A full list is available on our website.