2010 Festivals and Events

Calendar of confirmed 2010 Events coming soon.  We are excited to let you know the 2009 event organizers will have the dates confirmed in January for us.  Don't hesitate to let us know if you want to want to be on our 2010 Events email list

JOIN US FOR

THE SQUAMISH EAGLE FESTIVAL

December 2009 - January 2010

The Vancouver Olympic 2010 Cultural Day bus tour

Vancouver - Whistler February 12th - 28th, 2010

April

11th - 26th

3rd annual Seabird Island Tulip Festival, Seabird Island - Agassiz

24th - 25th -26th

9th Annual Delta School District Pow Wow

May

29th, 30th - 31st

Seabird Island 40th Annual  Festival

June

5th, 6th - 7th

Cultus Lake Indian Festival

5th, 6th - 7th

Lil/wat Celebrations - Mount Currie

12th - 13th - 14th

Skidegate Days - Haida Gwaii - Queen Charlotte Islands

National Aboriginal Day Celebrations - throuout Canada

Aboriginal Solidarity Day, June 21, was declared by the federal government in 1996 after more than 12 years of lobbying by activists in the National Indian Brotherhood (now known as the Assembly of First Nations). It was intended as a day to recognize and honour aboriginal peoples in our country.

We support the Assembly of First Nations suggesting that what is really required is a National Day of Reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples in our country.

18th, 19th, 20th -21st

Alert Bay 51st June Sports

19th -20th - 21st

Traditional Father's Day Pow Wow - Chief Will-Yum Campground Williams Lake

20th

National Aboriginal Day Celebrations - Kelowna

20th

National Aboriginal Day Xa:ytem Celebrations - Mission

21st

National Aboriginal Day Celebrations - Quaaout Lodge - Chase

21st

National Aboriginal Day Celebrations - McDonald Park - Kamloops

23rd

National Aboriginal Day Celebrations - Trout Lake Community Centre

July

10th - 11th - 12th

Squamish Nation 22nd Annual Pow Wow - Capilano Reserve Park - West Vancouver

17th, 18th - 19th

Sqilax Pow Wow - Chase

20th

Switzmalph Cultural Day and Pow Wow - Salmon Arm

24th, 25th & 26th

Spirit of the People Pow Wow - Chilliwack

July 24 th, 25th - 26th

Alert Bay Sea Fest Celebrations

July 31st - August 2nd

Kamloops Pow Wow - Kamloops

August 7th - 9th

Bonaparte Pow Wow - Cache Creek

August 21st - 23rd

Similkameen Pow Wow - Keremeos

August 22nd - 23rd

Neskonlith Traditional Pow Wow - Chase

November 21st - 22nd

Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival - Harrison

May - September

Group Day Tours - Bus & Rail

• Squamish Lil'wat cultural Centre Rail tour - Vancouver to Whistler
• Xa:ytem Cultural Bus tour
• Eagle Viewing Tours

This is where the First Nation peoples gather to celebrate their traditions and if you are looking for a true cultural immersion, this would be an excellent way to experience the hospitality of the Aboriginal people.  The events vary in size from small, traditional pow-wows with 125 people including drum groups from Saskatchewan and elaborate regalia and dancers from Manitoba to high-volume events with thousands of First Nation peoples from all over North America.  The Kamloopa Pow-wow is an event that draws over 10,000 in attendance and still only has a handful of non natives attending this public celebration.

These celebrations and sporting events are important places for First Nations people to gather and meet each other, share stories and reconnect with families and are a traditional place of meeting and marrying. The participants are highly respected for their strength and year-round commitment to prepare physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally in order to compete in these high-caliber competitions. Plan to attend one of the events

The summer festivals are a time to gather, engage in friendly competition, and to affirm the continuity and strength of their cultures. They are open to the public are very easy going fun loving events, have traditional foods, games, opening & closing ceremonies & are fine examples of the welcoming spirits and generosity warm-hearted celebrations.

2009 & 2010 Departure Dates: Departure dates vary, please call for confirmation on

Confirming 2010 dates

51st Annual Cultus Lake War Canoe Race Group Bus Tour  

June 5th, 6th & 7th, 2009  

Departs From: Vancouver    

Number of Guests: Group Tours Minimum 20 guest      

Location: Fraser Valley  

Cultus Lake Courtesy Bob Herger

The 51st Annual Cultus Lake water sports event has paddlers traveling from the Lower mainland, Vancouver Island and Washington state to compete in dug out cedar war canoes up to 50 feet long. Plan to savour the Salmon BBQ and native arts and crafts.

     
The Soowahlie First Nation is host to the War Canoe Races at Cultus Lake where 8,000 First Nation people gather annually for the Cultus Lake Indian Festival Celebrations. Soowahlie First Nation is located south of Chilliwack, BC, between Chilliwack River and Cultus Lake.          

Every summer, Salish waterways are filled with the sounds of crowds cheering their favorite canoes. On the water, the pullers strive to out-distance the competition in their sleek boats. They know they are part of a canoe racing heritage going back over a hundred years and of a canoeing legacy of thousands of years.  

       
Coast Salish competitive canoe racing emerged in the mid to late 1800s. The earliest races were held as tourist events using the larger style canoes. In 1884, the Canadian Government outlawed the traditional potlatches, ceremonies of great religious and political importance, usually held in the winter months.          

Potlatches went from large, public affairs to small underground private events. At the same time, the canoe races were gaining in popularity. Dances, salmon barbecues, games and other events were added. Non-First Nations people viewed these events as economic tourism.          

Salish peoples used these times of gathering for strengthening their sense of community and maintaining their culture. They also used them for public relations with non natives. . By the 1930s several of these events had grown to draw many thousands of visitors. Today, the canoeing season lasts from early May to late August/early September.

Trip Inclusions:

• 7-hour guided tour
• Admission to races
• Traditional salmon lunch with bannock, rice and dessert
• Transportation from/to downtown Vancouver with hotel pick-up/drop-off

Seabird Island 40th Annual First Nations Festival

May 29th, 30th, & 31st

(3-day group tour Sports and Cultural Event)

Group Bus Tour

Departs  From: Vancouver    

Number of Guests: Group Tours Minimum 24 guests     

Location: Fraser Valley  

Trip Inclusions:

• 7-hour guided tour
• Admission to festival
• Traditional salmon lunch with bannock, rice and dessert
• Transportation from/to downtown Vancouver with hotel pick-up/drop-off

Seabird Island saw its first Water Canoe Festival back in the early 1900’s. When a local businessman, Mr. Ledoux, and 2 members, Mr. and Mrs. Charles, of the Seabird Band organized the first festival. While racers from neighboring First Nation’s communities were the only participants, the organizer’s persisted in recruiting racers from the United States and provinces. Their persistence did pay off in the long run. In subsequent years more than twenty-two First Nations gather at the festival. 1/3 of the spectators are avid war canoe race fans.

The Festival draws tourists and spectators from Europe, United States and the Provinces to the two and a half-day event.  The Festival’s highlight is the First Nation’s Traditional War Canoe Races, which attracts a third of the guests and visitors.

Another Big Attraction is the Traditional BBQ Salmon Dinner prepared by Grand Chief Archie Charles.  Grand Chief Charles has been serving this delicious meal since the Festival began in 1969.

The Festival also features a variety of sporting events: children’s, youth, and men’s and ladies soccer tournament, which attract ½ of the visitors. Ball Hockey and Co-ed Two Pitch were introduced later and now has a large following. Participants are First Nation’s peoples from through the Provinces of Canada and the United States. The Festival is an occasion to foster pride and time to celebrate the athletic abilities of our Aboriginal athletes.

The Festival also offers the opportunity for guests to participate in cultural performances and demonstrations by First Nation people as well as purchasing originally crafted Arts and crafts from local and distant artisans.

120 volunteers help organize and operate this huge event, Community members, staff, daycare and pre-school workers all participate as well as some of our sponsors.

Departs From: - Varies

Location: Vancouver.

Group Size: minimum 6 guests; maximum 10 - 100 guests depending on accommodation & transportation capacity of villages.

Attending First Nations Events and Celebrations is stepping into a culture.  Most of the locations are off the beaten track and involve staying in everything from magnificent rooms to rural accommodations in a family home.

Price Details:

*Price is per person based on double occupancy.

Package Includes:

• 2 nights' accommodation
• meals
• Admission to the festivals
• transportation
• guide

Some of the Highlights of this package:

Contact Talking Totem Tours if you want to experience an authentic cultural immersion.

Tel: 1.604.318.9209

Tel: 1.250.444.7077

Mailing Address:
Talking Totem Tours
Kootenays BC
V0G 1C0