This weekend, Victoria is hosting a free celebration of Aboriginal culture and everyone is invited.
Head down to the Royal BC Museum from June 16-18 for a wide range of First Nations art, food, and performances.
Created in partnership between the Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, Aboriginal Tourism BC, the Royal BC Museum, Tourism Victoria, and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, 2017 marks the event’s third year in a row.
The festival’s opening ceremonies begin at 9:00 am on Friday when canoes carrying leaders, dignitaries, and youth members of various First Nations will travel from Songhees Point to the Inner Harbour Commonwealth Corner. There, Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam and Esquimalt Nation Chief Andy Thomas will welcome the visitors, beginning the three-day festival.
At 11:00 am, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps will announce the City of Victoria as an official city of reconciliation with the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
Each day will begin with performances from local First Nations, followed by shows from performers across British Columbia.
FRIDAY JUNE 16
- 9:00 AM – Canoe Protocol Launch Delta Hotel
- 10:30 AM – Festival Opening Canoes arrive James Bay Inner Harbour at Commonwealth Corner for Protocol Welcome by Songhees and Esquimalt Chiefs
- 11:00 AM – Canoe Protocol procession to Festival Stage
- 11:30 AM – Festival official opening ceremony
Acknowledge & Introduce Partners and Dignitaries - 12:00 PM – Host Nations performance: Lekwungen Traditional Dancers (Songhees Nation) & Esquimalt Singers & Dancers(Esquimalt Nation)
- 1:00 PM – Le-La-La Dancers (Kwakwaka’wakw Nation)
- 2:00 PM – Hoomis Dancers (Nuu-chah-nulth Nation)
- 3:00 PM – He Waka Kōtuia Dancers (Māori New Zealand)
- 4:00 PM – Alex Wells Hoop Dancer (Lil`wat Nation)
- 5:00 PM – Hoomis Dancers (Nuu-chah-nulth Nation)
- 5:30 PM – Festival closes for the day
- Open Daily 11 AM – 5:30 PM – Artist Demonstrations and Authentic Indigenous Arts Marketplace
- Open Daily 11 AM – 5:30 PM – Songhees Seafood and Steam Food Truck – Authentic Aboriginal Cuisine
SATURDAY JUNE 17
- 11:00 AM – Festival Opens
Smudge Ceremony meet at the Mungo Martin House – Frank Antoine, Bonaparte Nation
Mungo Martin House & Totem Tour – Andy Everson, K’omoks Nation - 12:00 PM – Host Nations performance: Lekwungen Traditional Dancers (Songhees Nation) & Esquimalt Singers & Dancers(Esquimalt Nation)
- 1:00 PM – Le-La-La Dancers (Kwakwaka’wakw Nation)
- 2:00 PM – Alex Wells Hoop Dancer (Lil`wat Nation)
- 3:00 PM – He Waka Kōtuia Dancers (Māori New Zealand)
- 4:00 PM – Le-La-La Dancers (Kwakwaka’wakw Nation)
- 5:00 PM – Alex Wells Hoop Dancer (Lil`wat Nation)
- 5:30 PM – Festival closes for the day
- Open Daily 11 AM – 5:30 PM – Artist Demonstrations and Authentic Indigenous Arts Marketplace
- Open Daily 11 AM – 5:30 PM – Songhees Seafood and Steam Food Truck – Authentic Aboriginal Cuisine
SUNDAY JUNE 18
- 11:00 AM – Festival Opens
Smudge Ceremony meet at the Mungo Martin House – Frank Antoine, Bonaparte Nation
Mungo Martin House & Totem Tour – Andy Everson, K’omoks Nation - 12:00 PM – Host Nations performance: Lekwungen Traditional Dancers (Songhees Nation) & Esquimalt Singers & Dancers(Esquimalt Nation)
- 1:00 PM – Le-La-La Dancers (Kwakwaka’wakw Nation)
- 2:00 PM – Git Hayetsk (Haida, Haisla, Tahltan, Tlingit, Lil`wat and Musqueam Nations)
- 3:00 PM – He Waka Kōtuia Dancers (Māori New Zealand)
- 4:00 PM – Alex Wells Hoop Dancer (Lil`wat Nation)
- 5:00 PM – Git Hayetsk (Haida, Haisla, Tahltan, Tlingit, Lil`wat and Musqueam Nations)
- 5:30 PM – Festival closes for the day
- Open Daily 11 AM – 5:30 PM – Artist Demonstrations and Authentic Indigenous Arts Marketplace
- Open Daily 11 AM – 5:30 PM – Songhees Seafood and Steam Food Truck – Authentic Aboriginal Cuisine
View the full schedule on their website.
