Vancouver Island » Festivals, Ceremonies & Celebrations

June
Choo Kwa Ventures, 2nd Annual Cultural festival
3rd week-end
Admission: $6
tel: 250 724.4006 toll free: 1-866-294-8687
www.chookwa.com
Address: Choo Kwa Ventures 5323 River Road, Port Alberni

The Hupacasath First Nation community is having their 3rd annual canoe regatta with cultural performances, traditional songs and local arts and crafts. Visitors are able to experience a revived First Nations Tradition and watch canoes race high speed down the Somass River in Port Alberni. The event has been revived after not happening in over 60 years and the Hupacasath First Nation welcome and encourages people to come enjoy and learn more about their culture.

The days’ events start with a welcoming ceremony at 11:00 a.m. and finish at 4 p.m. with the awarding of the Grand Paddle with racing starting at noon. Race organizers have provided ample parking at the sports center and shuttle service to and from the site.

Joseph at Squamish Nation Pow Wow 2007      photo by Jeanne

June 21
National Aboriginal Days
Victoria Native Friendship Centre Celebrations
June 21
Admission: $by donation
tel: 250.384.3211

The Celebrations are located in the heart of Victoria and take place at the Royal British Columbia Museum with cultural activities and presentations in the Mungo Martin Big House, Thunderbird Park, within the Museum, and throughout the surrounding plaza.

The Victoria Native Friendship Centre offers carving demonstrations, cultural interpretive tours of the totem poles on site and cross-cultural presentations to visitors.

To gain a fresh appreciation for the talents and skills of First Nations peoples, visit the Victoria Native Friendship Center and be some of the first visitors to participate in their cross-cultural presentations with the Royal British Columbia Museum.

One of the Centre's priorities is to encourage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture and heritage. The centre has been running the Walking With The Elders initiative and the First Peoples Festival , one of the country's largest Urban Aboriginal arts and cultural events and now has combined their experience and created one of the most innovative and experiential itineraries available to visitors.

Cowichan War canoe races
4th week-end
Admission: $6
tel: 250. 748.3196
Address: Cowichan Bay Waterfront

The Cowichan First Nation is proud host of their 115th annual War Canoe Race at the Cowichan Bay waterfront with 1st Nations youth and adults competing in various types of authentic canoes. The dugout canoe races attract thousands of spectators with bands from B.C. and the U.S. traveling to Cowichan territory to take part. The event is officially opened with a prayer on Friday evening, and a speech of welcome by one of the Elders at noon on Saturday.

Canoe racing is open to all First Nations' members. The only criteria are dedication to training and participating, a willingness to pull one's own weight, and the discipline to keep in stroke . Each Band has a cheering section and as the paddlers draw towards the shore, shouts and honking car horns encourage them across the finish line.

Historically, the canoes were carved from a single cedar log and some groups still follow this practice. Some are now made from cedar strips and put together with fiberglass and are 50 - 52 feet in length.

There is a race every weekend, rain or shine from May until September. At the end of one race, the community hosting the next race notifies others by word-of-mouth, so be sure to find out where they are located as you explore the island. Bring a chair and some sunscreen.

July

Inter Cultural Folk Festival
4th week-end June & 1st week-end in July
Admission: $12 or by a pass
tel: 250.388.4728
www.icafolkfest.com
Address: 930 Balmoral Road, Victoria

Folk Festival in the Square is a cultural festival in the heart of downtown Victoria and a chance for visitors to experience music, dance, art and food from around the world. Centennial Square comes alive with a blend of music, dance, film, visual and culinary arts. Presented by the Inter Cultural Association of Victoria the event features local and international Aboriginal Dancers and Performers. Open Air is located in Centennial Square, north of downtown Victoria. The square is bordered by Douglas street (east), Pandora street (south), Government street (west) and Fisgard street (north), with a direct access into the square from Douglas street, Pandora street and Government street.

CANCELLED - UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

9th Annual Red River West Rendezvous
2nd week-end
Admission: $ by donation
www.redriverwest.org
Address: Victoria Fish & Game Club property 700 Holker Road. Victoria B.C

The 9th Annual Red River West Rendezvous Métis cultural awareness event is a 4 day festival held at the Victoria Fish and Game Club, 20 minutes North of Victoria off the Malahat Highway. The Red River West Metis Rendezvous is an educational and cultural resource for Metis people and the general public. There is a very large Metis community on Vancouver Island consisting of approximately 6,500 Metis members. There is a chance to view, participate and enjoy the Grand Entry, Jigging Competitions, Black Powder Shooting demonstrations and supervised shooting, Hawk and knife throws, Frying Pan throwing and Voyageur Games. Workshops are scheduled throughout the 4-day event with a chance to learn Jigging, Michif Language, Medicine Bags,Story telling, Capote Making and Beading. Bring a chair and support this event where the Metis People gather.

August

15th Annual Yellow Wolf Intertribal Pow Wow
1st week-end

Friday August 1st - Sunday Aug 3rd, 2008
Admission: free
tel: For more information contact John Sampson at 250-652-4635 or Angel Sampson at 250-665-7777
Address: on Tsartlip land at 800 Stelly’s X Road in Brentwood Bay

The Yellow Wolf Intertribal Pow Wow is hosted by the Tsartlip First Nations, the Coast Salish people of the Saanich Nation ("Saanich" meaning Emerging People). The Tsartlip community of eight hundred people is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Formerly known as Watan'may Intertribal Pow Wow there is Traditional dancing, drumming and foods, local arts and crafts, singing and Cultural performances from around North America.

The public is invited to come out and enjoy a weekend of fun and friendship as the 15th annual Yellow Wolf Powwow takes place this weekend.

There will be Powwow singing and dancing, opportunities to purchase cultural arts and crafts, special entertainment, and a chance to taste some First Nations cultural foods like seafood chowder, fried bread/bannock, Indian tacos, Indian hot dogs, plus more western fare of hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, pop, coffee and more. And don’t forget the delicious salmon barbecue!

This is a family event, so make sure to bring your friends, a lawn chair and/or blanket and get ready to shake the dust off your moccasins as you partake in some powwow dancing.

The Yellow Wolf Powwow is a drug and alcohol free event, and visitors are asked to respect the traditions of the powwow, the powwow grounds, and the Nation you are visiting.

Grand entry times are Friday, August 1 at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 2 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 3 at 1 p.m.

Songhees Pow Wow Celebration
2nd week-end
Admission: $by donation
tel: 250.381.7861
Address: 1000 Thomas Road, Esquimalt, B.C.

The Songhees Pow Wow is hosted by the Salish First Nations people of Esquimalt BC. Competitive dance performances, drumming and traditional foods and crafts are all part of this event.

Saanichton Pow Wow Celebration
2nd week-end
Admission: by donation
tel: 250. 652-9101
www.tsawout.ca
Address: 7725 Tetayut Road Tsawout First Nation

Tsawout First Nation is host to the Saanichton Pow Wow. The celebration of First Nations culture features songs & dances, traditional food and performers in concert at this inter-tribal pow-wow.

Thunder in the Valley Pow Wow

CANCELLED until further information is available

apologies for any inconvenience

Island Thunder drum & dance competition Celebration
3rd week-end
Admission: by donation
tel:
Address:

Thunder in the Valley Pow Wow drum & dance competition is hosted by the Cowichan First Nations in Cowichan Bay Duncan BC. The Pow Wow attracts between 5,000 and 10,000 people, including performers and spectators. This exciting dance celebration features more than just dancing - there are plenty of crafts, foods and other festivities to enjoy at this annual event. The pow wow has drumming and singing competitions, dancing and Traditional foods. The Celebration is Located adjacent to the City of Duncan and the Municipality of North Cowichan.

November

3rd Annual First Nations Arts & Craft Show
Admission: by donation
tel: 250.741.0035
www.heiltsukart.com
Address: Nanaimo

3rd Annual First Nations Arts & Craft Show will appeal to both artists and collectors as well. An unprecedented number of renowned artists will have their art displayed art for sale and will share their knowledge with demonstrations of their unique styles. For the collectors, twice a day, art auctions will provide the opportunity to bid on a wise array of priceless originals and prints. The show has an excellent representation of art forms, from carving to jewelry, dolls, paintings, dancing, singing and clothing designs. It is a great chance to sample the delicious salmon BBQ and other traditional dishes. The event is a true celebration of the First Nations culture.

December – February

The Eagles Have Landed at Goldstream Park
Every day 9:00 – 4:00 pm
Telephone: 250.478.9414
Address: Goldstream Provincial Park
2930 Trans Canada Hwy. Victoria

The end of the Goldstream Salmon Run is a signal to the Bald Eagles that it is time to return to Goldstream for their annual salmon feast. Record numbers of Bald Eagles have been returning to the park - up to 276 in one day! - for the past three winters. By closing the estuary to people, the birds can feed undisturbed while visitors are able to see them up close with the use of a video camera and telescopes. This protective measure has proven extremely effective.

This winter, from early December until the end of February, Goldstream Provincial Park's Visitor Centre will be celebrating the return of the Bald Eagles with special programs and exhibits focusing on birds of prey. Keeping the visitor centre open at this time of year is due entirely to public support from donations at the door!

Hot coffee and chocolate, baked goods and healthy snacks are available at the book store and the fire is usually lit to warm you after a walk along the river to see spawning salmon. Come find what the fun is all about at the Salmon Run and Eagles wintering spot in Goldstream Park.

Annual Campbell River Eagle Festival

There is an Eagle Festival in Campbell River in February. An update on the festival and others is available from forum.hancockhouse.com