2019 National Indigenous Peoples Day Events
National Indigenous Peoples Day and History Month is a time to celebrate the diverse histories, languages and cultures of Indigenous Peoples that enrich our province.
June 21
Recognizing June 21 of each year as National Indigenous Peoples Day began across Canada in 1996. The Government of Alberta endorses National Indigenous Peoples Day and its community celebratory events during the entire month of June.
Provincial event
On Thursday June 20, 2019 from 11:30 am to 1:15 pm, the Government of Alberta kicked off its 2019 National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Edmonton’s City Centre Mall (east), hosted by Indigenous Relations.
Alberta events
Table 1. 2019 National Indigenous Peoples Day Events List
| Edmonton and area | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Event Title | Location | Notes |
| June 20, 2019 | Indigenous Relations National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Edmonton City Centre Mall (East) | Celebration will take place from 11:30 am to 1:15 pm The event will celebrate traditional and/or contemporary arts and culture, such as dancing, drumming, Metis fiddling and jigging. |
| June 20, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration – Cultural Showcase Event – presented by Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. | Edmonton International Airport | Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association, in partnership with Enoch Cree Nation, will host a Cultural Showcase at the Edmonton International Airport for National Aboriginal Day. This showcase will provide an opportunity to market Indigenous Arts (primarily from the Xpressions Arts and Design Program) to tourists.The showcase will also offer a variety of cultural dance performances with an explanation of each dance. |
| June 21, 2019 | Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Due to the weather the Pow Wow will be held at the River Cree Resort and Casino | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Celebration of First Nation, Metis and Inuit culture, arts and crafts, and a free BBQ lunch. This is a free event for all ages, including many activities for young children (5 to 12). |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day – Leduc | Leduc Cultural Village | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm A celebration of music, arts and culture on National Indigenous Peoples Day as Indigenous and Métis performers share their gifts in a fun and festive atmosphere. For more details visit St. David's United Church |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day –Art Gallery of Alberta | Art Gallery of Alberta | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm On June 21the gallery will be offering FREE admission all day long and special programming. Take in exhibitions featuring the work of First Nations and Métis artists, including Cul-de-Sac and Fix your hearts or die. Join multimedia artist and designer Alaynee Goodwill-Littlechild for a free workshop. Workshop participants will learn about the history of Parfleche, construct and paint your own parfleche piece to take home. Spaces are limited for each workshop. For more details and workshop times visit Art Gallery of Alberta |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society | 8:30 am to 12:00 pm Come enjoy a pancake breakfast from 8:30 am to 10:00 am and activities for the whole family until 12:00 noon including arts and crafts, teepee stories, bannock sampling, culture demonstrations, traditional games, food, and powwow drumming and dancing. Displays by Edmonton Public Library and Edmonton Police Service and much more! Everyone Welcome. Free event. Bring your lawn chairs. For more details visit #NIPDCanada |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Royal Alberta Museum | 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Join the Royal Alberta Museum in celebrating Indigenous Peoples of Canada, as artists and performers fill our space with music, dance, storytelling and art. Learn how to make a drum, bark basket or moss bag. Go behind the scenes to tour RAM's Indigenous Studies collection. Join in with traditional dance and drumming performances, or hear stories in the courtyard. Activities and performances run all day, from 10 am to 8 pm. For more information, visit the Royal Alberta Museum website |
| until June 21, 2019 | Bi-Giwen: Coming Home – Truth Telling from the Sixties Scoop | Canada Place 9700 Jasper Avenue |
Opening ceremonies starts at noon
From the 1950s to the 1980s, an unknown number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were taken from their parents, families and communities by child intervention services and placed in non-Indigenous families. Many of these children experienced abuse, mistreatment and neglect, and lost touch with their families, communities, culture and language. The effects of this dark period in Canada’s history, known as the Sixties Scoop, are still felt by survivors and their families today. Bi-Giwen: Coming Home – Truth Telling from the Sixties Scoop shares the personal testimonials of strength and resilience of Sixties Scoop survivors in this first-of-its-kind exhibit. This exhibit is on display at the RAM until June 21. The exhibit is on the second floor in the theatre lobby and is free to visit. |
| June 22, 2019 | Edmonton's Indigenous Peoples Festival | Edmonton Expo Centre | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm Experience a Pow-Wow, visit displays and join in on interactive activities by community partners from all across the Edmonton region. Live performances by local and national Indigenous talent will take place at the outdoor North Plaza main stage throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Shop the artisan marketplace for original Indigenous products and satisfy your appetite with delicious offerings by local food trucks. For more details visit Edmonton's Indigenous Peoples Festival |
| Calgary and area | |||
| Date | Event Title | Location | Notes |
| June 17, 2019 | Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary Opening Ceremonies | Stampede Park, 650 25 Ave SE (South entrance) | Event runs from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm For more details visit Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary |
| June 20, 2019 | National Indigenous People's Day Celebrations | Arts Common | 10:30 am to 3:00 pm Event includes Indigenous Drumming with Cree Ojibwe Metis Singer and Drummer, Chantal Stormsong Chagnon; a mini Pow Wow featuring world class championship drum group Eye-Hey Nakoda and dancers from across Treaty 7 Nations; and Indigenous Dancing and Storytelling by Fancy Shawl Dancer Shirley Hill (Anatsipi'kssaakii – Pretty Sound Bird Woman). This is a free event. For more details visit Arts Commons |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day – Heritage Park Historical Village | Heritage Park Historical Village | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Cultural performances in Heritage Town Square. Activities in the First Nations' Encampment. Free concert in Heritage Town Square from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. For more details visit Heritage Park |
| June 21, 2019 | University of Calgary National Indigenous Peoples Day | Calgary Stampede Grounds | 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm Join the University of Calgary to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with a day of cultural events featuring storytelling from Traditional Knowledge Keepers, dancing, drumming, bannock and more. Pull up a blanket and celebrate the longest day of the year with diverse stories about the significance of languages in the Treaty 7 region of southern Alberta. Campfire Chats with Traditional Knowledge Keepers - 5:30 pm. RSVP required. Please register at University of Calgary For more details please visit: 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages |
| June 22, 2019 | Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary Family Day and Pow Wow | Fort Calgary | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm The event includes a free pancake breakfast, children's corner, craft vendors, and a Pow Wow. Grand entry at 12:30 pm For more details visit Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary |
| Southern Alberta | |||
| Date | Event Title | Location | Notes |
| June 17, 2019 | Galt Museum & Archives National Indigenous Peoples Week Kickoff Feast | Galt Museum & Archives | 11:30 am to 1:30 pm The Galt Museum & Archives celebrates the beginning of National Indigenous Peoples Week. Join us for a free feast and more! Children to attend with adults, registration not required, free admission. Fore more details visit Galt Museum and Archives |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day – Jasper National Park | Jasper National Park – Information Centre Lawn | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Jasper National Park is recognized as a significant cultural crossroads for a diversity of Indigenous groups. Drink in the sights, sounds and colours of local and regional Indigenous culture at its finest with samples of bannock and bush tea, dancers in colourful regalia and the beat of the drum. Look, listen, and learn as the Indigenous peoples of this land tell and share their own stories in their own way.Vendor booths include: traditional food, arts and crafts, local Indigenous history. For more details visit Parks Canada |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day – Southern Alberta Art Gallery | Southern Alberta Art Gallery | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Free Gallery Admission. Featuring a contemporary chicken dance performance by Seth Cardinal Dodginghorse. Join us to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery. Admission to the gallery is complementary and special programming will be available. For more detail visit Souther Alberta Art Gallery |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day – Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site | 275068 Secondary Highway 785 | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm On National Indigenous People's Day, immerse yourself in the Plains Blackfoot way of life. Experience the sound and spectacle of drumming and dancing. Interact with our performers. Listen to Blackfoot elders tell stories about the plains buffalo culture. Try your hand at Atl Atl throwing, an ancient hunting technique. Guided facility tours, a live display of Alberta birds of prey, and Indigenous food sampling are all included. No registration required. All activities free with admission. |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous People's Day Celebration | Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Join the team at Writing-on-Stone/ Áísínai'pi to celebrate National Indigenous People's Day. Park interpreters will provide complimentary Rock Art Tours into the Archaeological Preserve throughout the day. An indigenous dancing and storytelling performance will occur in the early afternoon. Then try your hand at making (and tasting) some traditional Blackfoot foods! For more information call the park at 403-647-2364. |
| Northern Alberta | |||
| Date | Event Title | Location | Notes |
| June 21, 2019 | Whitecourt National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Rotary Park | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Celebrate the unique cultures of Canada's First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples at a local event. This is a free event featuring performances and education by the local and surrounding areas. Join us for dance, music, food and history. For more details visit Whitecourt News and Events |
| June 21, 2019 | Bonnyville Native Friendship Centre – National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre | Pipe Ceremony 10:30 am BBQ 11:30 am Opening Ceremonies 1:00pm The event includes a community BBQ, Elders Pipe Ceremony, Indigenous artisans and dancers, dignitaries address as well as fun activities for children. |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day | McMurray Metis Office Grounds | 10:30 am to 6:00 pm Opening Ceremonies are running from 10:30- 11:30am, followed by live entertainment, kids' activities and more throughout the afternoon and evening. Throughout the day, there will be kids' activities, vendors, BBQ, and live entertainment. Everyone is welcome, free for all to attend! |
| June 21, 2019 | National Indigenous Peoples Day | Métis Crossing | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Celebrate Métis contributions to Canadian society at the annual National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at Métis Crossing. |