Celebrating culture, community and connection at NIPD 2026
Co-hosts of a National Indigenous Peoples Day 2026 event will hold celebrations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 19 at the Royal Roads University’s Colwood campus. Everyone is welcome to attend any of the day’s events, and admission is free. The celebration is 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 artist and lək̓ʷəŋən Cultural Facilitator Yuxwelupton Qwal’ qaxala Bradley Dick, joined by family members and guests from the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The canoe protocol concludes with a performance by ANSWER2 Drum Group, and the main stage opens at noon, with remarks, 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 12 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 and include 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 shuttle bus transportation between parking locations and the event, and special transportation available for Elders and guests who need assistance.
The event is co-hosted by Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation, Royal Roads University, Camosun College, 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 and West Shore Parks & Recreation.
Thank you to all our partners, contributors and vendors who make this event possible. This event is funded in part by a Government of Canada Canadian Heritage Grant. A full list of contributors is available on our website.