Wednesday, June 21 is officially National Aboriginal Day across Canada. To recognize and honour the valuable contributions by our First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, there is a wide range of events planned to celebrate from this week to next month, in communities throughout the Vancouver Coastal region.

Follow us on our Facebook page @VCHAH2015 for current updates or check out this list of local events celebrating National Aboriginal Day:

June 15 – Shishalh (Sechelt) Nation

Everyone is invited to join the Shishalh Nation for A Night at the Longhouse Event. This is a community cultural celebration and performance with an evening of traditional Coast Salish-shíshálh drumming, singing and dancing and traditional storytelling.

June 17 – National Aboriginal Day (Richmond)

Richmond Cannery, 12138 4^th Avenue, Richmond

Pathways Aboriginal Centre will host a National Aboriginal Day Celebration. Activities will include a powwow, dancing, and a community art project.

June 21 – Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society

1607 East Hastings Street (morning)/3360 Victoria Drive (afternoon), Vancouver

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre’s National Aboriginal Day celebration starts with a pancake breakfast at 9:00 am. At 11:00 am, a friendship walk up Commercial Drive will take participants to Trout Lake, where a host of wellness activities will be available, including traditional dancing, lacrosse and canoeing.

June 21 – Squamish Nation (West Vancouver)

9A-380 Welch Street, West Vancouver

Yúustway Health Services is hosting wellness services for its members from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Services and activities include cedar headbands, chair massage, biomat relaxation, and cleansing/smudging.

June 21 – Squamish Nation (Squamish)

Totem Hall (1380 Stawamus Road)/Stawamus Waterfront, Squamish

Events will begin at 12 noon with a lunch at the Totem Hall and activities, such as drumming and singing, make a paddle necklace and more will follow afterward. After this, we will move to the Stawamus Waterfront for the canoe race and closing remarks. This event is open to the whole community.

 June 21 – Wuikinuxv Village

Wuikinuxv Village is hosting an all-day National Aboriginal Day Celebration and Health Fair. Events run from 9:00 am-9:00 pm and include bear safety, water safety, blood pressure checks, traditional activities, games, lateral kindness activities, and food.

June 21 – Lil’wat

We are inviting you to attend our Líl̓wat Aboriginal Day Celebration 2017, “Honouring Our Herbalists” from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.

• 5:00 PM-Potluck Dinner, bring your favourite dish.
• 6:00 PM-Honouring the Herbalists
• 7:00 PM-Medicinal Plant presentations by Líl̓wat Language Class.

June 22 – National Aboriginal Day BBQ for Aboriginal People and Service Providers

MacLean Park, 797 Keefer Street, Vancouver

Aboriginal Health First Nations Mental Health Program will host a BBQ from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Includes hot dogs and hamburgers, drumming, and singing.

Hand drummers, elders & everyone welcome!