Carrying tradition forward: National Indigenous Peoples Day 2026
The sound of drumming and voices echo, the smell of frybread drifts, and the waters of Esquimalt Lagoon are calm aside from the dip of canoe paddles and ripples created by the wings of a Great Blue Heron. The yearly tradition of National Indigenous Peoples Day at Royal Roads University Colwood Campus, traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, has begun.
A Great Blue Heron flies over the Esquimalt Lagoon during the 2026 National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
“I want to thank my extended family, each of you, for coming and celebrating with us our identity, our culture and our ceremonies in the way that we understand them,” said Bradley Dick (Yuxwelupton Qwal’ qaxala) a contemporary artist of of lək̓ wəŋən, Mamalilikulla and Ditidaht ancestry.
Bradley Dick (Yuxwelupton Qwal’ qaxala) opened the 2026 NIPD celebrations with words of welcome and kinship.
Dick opened the day’s celebrations by leading a traditional canoe landing protocol alongside his father, Butch Dick (Yux’wey’lupton). One by one, 17 “canoe families” approached the shore of Esquimalt Lagoon, father and son took turns officially welcoming the visitors to come ashore.
This protocol follows traditions from to 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.
“It’s something that took place many years ago, many generations ago,” explains Butch Dick to the crowd gathered around the lagoon. “You just didn’t travel to another territory without making an announcement that you were traveling in peace.
“And also, the biggest thing is that you’ve got food ready,” he adds playfully.
Father and son, Butch Dick (Yux’wey’lupton) and Bradley Dick (Yuxwelupton Qwal’ qaxala) took turns welcoming canoe families ashore during the traditional canoe landing protocol.
Co-hosted by 18 regional partners, the annual event, attracting upwards of 4,000 people – including about 1,300 students from nearby K-12 schools – offered a vibrant showcase of Indigenous cultural heritage, including music, food, activities and opportunities for connection.
The event also held an Indigenous vendor's market with 32 artisans, makers, creators and storytellers displayed their work for viewing and purchase.
Performances on the main stage included dancers, singers and drummers.
13 partner teams then competed in The Swutth’tus (Max Henry Sr.) Canoe Challenge, a race from one end of the lagoon to the other. Ocean Spirit canoe family won first place in the small canoe category, and Shoreline Middle School canoe family won the large canoe category.
13 partner teams competed in The Swutth’tus (Max Henry Sr.) Canoe Challenge.
“It’s about coming together in a good way, seeing family and friends, and also making new connections,” says Diane Sam, Indigenous cultural liaison and one of the organizers of the annual event. “This is a good way of opening up the door and recognizing for our young adults and students that this is a safe place to be.”
