Summer is on the way and this month we welcome virtual festivals, outdoor activities, and the hope that more events will be added to our calendars in the near future. June is National Indigenous History Month, recognizing the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in what is now known as Canada. Look for events and workshops on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21 and beyond) and find more June events in Metro Vancouver below:
Some Assembly Theatre Company and Roundhouse Youth Theatre Action Group (“RHYTAG”) present the world premiere of their new digital play, BREAKWATER. This is a multi-media theatre production that began pre-pandemic in response to conversations with youth who spoke about their mental health struggles.
Some Assembly Theatre Company Presents Breakwater
When the pandemic hit, the project faced uncertainty as to whether or not it could move forward. One area of certainty remained – this pandemic is causing an increase in mental health struggles among youth. With Some Assembly’s determination and the support of the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Coastal Health, Roundhouse Community Centre and other funders, this important theatre collaboration between diverse youth and professional artists was able to pivot and move forward.
BREAKWATERfollows six youth who face the effects of isolation and mental health struggles from a symbolic world-wide flood. Written by youth with professional playwright Valerie Methot, along with the support of industry professionals from script consultants to counsellors, BREAKWATERpromotes self-care and compassion as well as strong, caring communities.
When: June 30 at 4:00pm, July 8 at 7:00pm, July 11, 2021 at 3:00pm
Some Assemble Theatre Company collaborates with youth to create original plays that build awareness, educate, promote wellness and encourage dialogue. They also provide mentorship programs and workshops for diverse populations of youth on topics related to performing arts, mental health and addiction issues.
Talking Stick Festival, the largest Indigenous festival of its kind in North America, presents the virtual Summer Sojourn program. From June 1 – July 1, 2021 enjoy a bountiful month-long celebration of Indigenous performance, art, and so much more – with many free events!
Talking Stick Festival Summer Sojourn
This online festival features concerts, dance performances, visual art, readings, theatrical presentations, and film, as well as some unique and unexpected virtual experiences. Summer Sojourn is the third presentation in their year-long 20th Anniversary program, The Season of Four Fires (following Winter Lodge and Spring Awakening).
Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival Film (May 31 — June 7) Moonlodge Film (June 1 onwards) Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival Multi-discipline (June 1 — 21) Embodying Power and Place Storytelling (June 3 — Jul 1) Indigenous Cities Storytelling (starting June 3) Indigenous Music Summit Music (June 7 — 12) Talking Truths: Following in Her Footsteps Discussion (June 18) The Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards Music (June 12) Dancing with our Ancestors Dance (June 15) Tara Williamson and The Good Liars Music (June 18) Mawessine’s Gala Theatre / Music (June 21) Opening Ceremony: All Together We Drum Music (June 25) 10-Year Celebration of Adäka Multi (June 26) Nyēn nzhän: Sing your Song: An Indigenous Language and Song Celebration Music (June 27) Land, Language and Song with The Love Soldiers Music (June 28) Piano Burning Performance (August 8)
Co-presented with TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival:
Snotty Nose Rez Kids Music (June 25, paid ticketed event) DJ Kookum & Sierra Tasi Baker Music (July 4) Blue Moon Marquee Music (June 28, paid ticketed event) Dalannah Gail Bowen Billie’s Blues @ Frankie’s Jazz Club Music (July 4, paid ticketed event)
Win a Summer Staycation
To celebrate Talking Stick Festival’s 20th Anniversary, they’re giving one lucky winner a Summer Staycation Prize Package. The grand prize (value over $750) includes:
National Indigenous Peoples Day is coming up on June 21st, and Indigenous Tourism BC (“ITBC”) invites everyone to honour local First Nations cultures, while reflecting on the continuing history of Indigenous peoples. Through a series of virtual workshops that promote support for local businesses, ITBC hopes to raise awareness of the province’s exceptional Indigenous travel experiences, and highlight the many ways tourism supports revitalization of Indigenous cultures.
National Indigenous History Month was first instituted in June 2009, as a way to educate, connect and promote reconciliation in Canada. National Indigenous Peoples Day was declared in 1996, with the date of June 21 chosen to coincide with the summer solstice and the start of berry-picking and fishing season.
ITBC will facilitate deeper connections between Canadians and Indigenous cultures in BC through a series of virtual workshops that promote support for local businesses, raise awareness of the province’s exceptional Indigenous travel experiences, and highlight the many ways tourism supports revitalization of Indigenous cultures.
A Tasting of Indigenous Cultures When: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 2:00pm Where: Online Tickets: Available online now About: An immersive exploration of the rich history and cultures of Indigenous cuisine and wine in BC. Viewers will meet Paul Natrall, second-generation chef and owner of Vancouver’s Indigenous food truck, Mr. Bannock, and Ryan Widdup, manager and sommelier of the Okanagan’s picturesque Indigenous World Winery. Learn how to make authentic bannock from home and learn about the history and practices behind Indigenous wine.
Celebrating Living Indigenous Arts & Culture When: Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 2:00pm Where: Online Tickets: Available online now About: Travel virtually to the U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, BC with Sara Fulla, where you’ll learn about the history and cultural significance of Potlatches as well as the artistic practices of cedar weaving, song and dance. Viewers will then be transported to the remote Great Bear Rainforest in Klemtu, BC where they will meet Sierra Hall at Spirit Bear Lodge. From harvesting traditional foods and wildlife watching to viewing petroglyphs and historical tours, Spirit Bear Lodge fosters deep connections to place and land.
Territorial Acknowledgements, An Interactive Introduction When: Monday, June 21, 2021 from 11:00am to 12:00pm Where: Online Tickets:Available online now About: Join Ta7talíya Nahanee, Squamish, to personalize your connection to acknowledging Indigenous Territories on National Indigenous Peoples Day. This hour-long interactive introduction is hosted on the shared territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples to: share the what, why and how of Territorial Acknowledgements; explain colonial conditioning and decolonizing practices; provide writing prompts and resources to personalize your acknowledgement
Honouring Wellness When: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 2:00pm Where: Online Tickets: Available online now About: Restore your spirit through an exploration of Indigenous wellness rituals. Frank Antoine, co-founder of the Okanagan’s Moccasin Trails, will host a smudging ceremony and attendees will learn about the colonization of Indigenous wellness practices. Viewers will then meet Dennis Thomas of Vancouver’s Takaya Tours, an Indigenous owned eco-tourism venture. Indigenous peoples have travelled the land and waters of traditional territory for thousands of years, and Dennis will share his ancestral knowledge, fostering an appreciation for wilderness and Indigenous culture. Learn how nature and sustainability, through an Indigenous worldview, contribute to social wellbeing.
Ways to Honour Indigenous Cultures When Travelling
Honour physical distancing requirements in Indigenous communities. Follow local travel recommendations to protect Indigenous elders, children, resources and lands.
Add Indigenous tourism experiences in BC to your travel plans.Download the Indigenous Tourism BC app to find local tourism operators. Include Indigenous tourism in your travel plans.
Support Indigenous digital economies. Resourceful entrepreneurs are now serving patrons through online orders, delivery service and virtual events. Shop online for Indigenous fashion, food, wine and art to show your support for Indigenous lands, cultures and businesses.
The 2021 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards are coming up on Monday, June 7th, and there’s a rather new category – Reconciliation in Action – upon which I’d like to shine a spotlight. This category will honour two unique women, an Indigenous leader and an ally, working independently and committed to finding a new way forward.
In 2020, the first recipient of this new award was Marion Buller. The Honourable Judge Marion Buller was appointed the first woman First Nations judge in British Columbia in 1994 and was appointed as chief commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in 2016.
The Honourable Judge Marion Buller – 2020 Recipient
Judge Buller served as both a director and president of Canada’s Indigenous Bar Association and has been a member of the BC Police Commission and the Law Court Education Society. She was the Commission Counsel for the Caribou-Chilcotin Justice Inquiry and published reports and articles dealing with Aboriginal rights and legal services for First Nations in BC. Judge Buller was instrumental in starting the First Nations Court of British Columbia in 2006.
The second recipient, the Reconciliation in Action Ally, was Courtney Daws, Vice President, Governance and Policy at Castlemain Group. Courtney is a lawyer and strategic advisor with extensive knowledge in the areas of Aboriginal law, policy and governance and has held positions in the legal, political and social realm. She was the Director of Operations at the BC Assembly of First Nations under then Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould.
Reconciliation in Action YWCA Award Nominees
Top: Stephanie Allen, Tracy Antoine, Rhiannon Bennett, Margo Kane Bottom: Sheryl Lightfoot, Noorjean Hassam, Isabel Jackson
