The tradition, athleticism and thrilling spectacle of First Nations War Canoe Races will return to Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour for the first time in over a century on Saturday, June 27th from 11am to 4pm. The historic event is hosted by Greater Victoria Harbour Authority in partnership with Esquimalt Nation and Songhees Nation. Everyone is welcome to to Ship Point to watch this historic return home of the war canoes.
The theme is bringing the canoes home to Ku-Sing-ay-las: the traditional village site of the Lekwungen people in the Inner Harbour. Bleachers will be set up at Ship Point pier to accommodate spectators at no cost. The event kicks off at 11am with ceremonial blessings, speeches and dances followed by two hours of demonstrational canoe races between 1pm and 3pm. The canoe races will start from Laurel Point with the finish line in front of Ship Point.
Victoria Harbour has not seen traditional canoe races in more than 100 years! The theme is bringing the canoes home to Ku-Sing-ay-las: the traditional village site of the Lekwungen people in the Inner Harbour.
Bleachers will be set up at Ship Point pier to accommodate spectactors at no cost. The event kicks off at 11am with ceremonial blessings, speeches and dances.
The full schedule of events is as follows:
Saturday, June 27, 2015:
11am – Prayer ceremony & traditional blessing (please note no recording is allowed during blessing portion)
11:20am – Welcome by GVHA CEO Ian Robertson, Chief Andy Thomas (Esquimalt) & Chief Ron Sam (Songhees)
12pm – Blanketing ceremony 12:15pm – Esquimalt & Songhees dance groups perform 1pm – Canoe races begin, First Nations Elders speak between racing sets
3pm – Closing remarks and race results
