Join us for three days of specular performances on an outdoor stage at the Royal BC Museum. Each day will begin with a traditional welcome by the Esquimalt and Songhees, your host nations, followed by by more than 100 cultural performers from across BC, telling their history and stories on stage with their songs and dances.
Join renowned artist Andy Everson from the Comox First Nation on a Totem Tour, browse the Indigenous Arts Marketplace to find that perfect memento of your experience and feel free to talk to the artisans about their work. Then, treat yourself to Indigenous cuisine including fry bread, barbecued salmon, west coast clam chowder and other delicacies at the Songhees Seafood and Steam Food Truck.
You can view the full program and plan your cultural experience at Indigenousbc.com.
Guests attending the event are encouraged to visit the Royal BC Museum’s extensive First Peoples gallery to learn more about First Nations history in BC. The museum and archives collection of photographs, films, recordings and objects represent 10,000 years of history, collectively showcasing the diversity and resilience of Indigenous peoples throughout the province.
Organized by Indigenous Tourism BC, in partnership with the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, the Royal BC Museum, Tourism Victoria, the Butchart Gardens, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
Friday, June 21 Schedule
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Common Wealth Corner
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| 10:30 am |
Canoe crossing protocol welcome
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Royal BC Museum Plaza
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| 11:00 am |
Festival official opening – acknowledgement and introduction of partners and dignitaries |
| 11:00 am |
Artisans Market Place opens |
| 11:15 am |
Cultural Tour with Andy Everson – K’omoks Nation |
| 12:00 pm |
Lekwungen Traditional Dancers – Songhees Nation |
| 1:00 pm |
Hoomis Family Dancers – Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation |
| 2:00 pm |
Le-La-La Dancers – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation |
| 3:00 pm |
Answer Womens Drum Group – Nuuchahnulth, Diné, Mohawk, M’iqmaw, Anishnawbe, Métis and Cree Nations |
| 4:00 pm |
Hoomis Family Dancers – Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation |
| 5:00 pm |
Esquimalt Singers and Dancers – Esquimalt Nation |
Artisan Market Place
Open daily at 11:00 am
Indigenous artisans will be on-site with their goods for sale – carvings, prints, jewelry and more. Plus, you can watch special artisan demonstrations and learn more about the creative process from the artisans themselves.
