Although every day is Aboriginal Day for people in our nations, June 21 – the first day of spring – is the 20th anniversary of the day that Canada officially recognizes the culture and accomplishments of its Indigenous peoples.

One of the highlights of the day around the Salish Sea will take place in Powell River when Tla’amin Nation celebrates its first holiday as a self-governing nation. Tla’amin is holding events at the Willingdon Beach village site that is traditionally called Ay jumish. There will be drumming, singing and dancing. But the feature attraction of the day will certainly be a play performed by School District 47 students based on the book by Tla’amin elder Elsie Paul. In 2014 she published Written As I Remember It: Teachings (ʔәms taʔaw) from the life of a Sliammon Elder to much acclaim.

There are many other National Aboriginal Day activities in nations around the coast, so check them out and help celebrate what we’re all about. Another major event takes place in Victoria where the Royal BC Museum will again host the Aboriginal Cultural Festival, a threeday celebration of Aboriginal peoples, arts and culture, beginning on Friday, June 19 and wrapping up on Sunday, June 21. The festival is hosted on the traditional territory of Esquimalt and Songhees Nations in Victoria.

And just across the USA border, Coast Salish Days will be held in Birch Bay on June 25–26. The festival is intended to build community ties between the Coast Salish tribes and the residents. Meanwhile, canoe pullers will be on the water throughout the summer for races at Coast Salish nations in BC and Washington State.

June

• 4-6 Cultus Lake water festival, Chilliwack, BC
• 10-12 Stommish water festival, Lummi, WA
• 17-18 Cowichan Days, Duncan, BC
• 18-19 Sasquatch festival, Scowlitz, BC
• 25-26 Sasquatch Days, Harrison Hot Springs, BC

July

• 2-3 Ambleside Park, West Vancouver
• 9-10 Tsleil-Waututh canoe races, Whey-A-Wichen/Cates Park, North Vancouver
• 23-24 Stz’uminus hosts races at Kulleet Bay near Ladysmith