Celebrate National Indigenous History Month

General
By Emily Carr University

Posted on June 04, 2025 | Updated June 05, 2025, 10:43am

Untitled (I'm still working on it), Leanne Inuarak Dall

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, and June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day.

This month, you can expand your understanding of the rich cultures, traditions, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

As a public post-secondary institution, we are responsible for advancing the work of Truth and Reconciliation through ongoing learning, reflection, and action. We invite you to engage in this important work by attending community events, exploring the work of Indigenous authors, watching films by Indigenous filmmakers, and more.

Consider this month a significant step in supporting Indigenous artists and creators while enhancing your learning journey. To mark the occasion, we’ve assembled highlighted events and resources at ECU and the wider community below.

ECU Events + Resources

June 6 – BBQ at the AGP — The Aboriginal Gathering Place team invites the ECU community to share food on the AGP balcony and meet the upcoming vendors for the Indigenous Summer Market from 2pm - 3pm.

June 6-7: Indigenous Summer Market — The Aboriginal Gathering Place is hosting its annual summer market in honour of National Indigenous History Month. The event is free and features over 25 vendors, including artists and designers from the ECU community and the local Vancouver area.

June 1-30 — The Library team has created a Reading Room on the first floor of the library with books by Indigenous authors. Check out the newly updated Indigenous Research Ethics Guide and the larger Indigenous Topics section for more information on contemporary Indigenous art and special topics.

Attending

June 1-30 – National Indigenous History Month events - Throughout June, the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Department is hosting multiple events and workshops for people to learn wool weaving, make cedar baskets, create dreamcatchers and engage in a self-guided Indigenous art tour.

June 12 – Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Finale’ – Visit the Central Library for an evening of storytelling and music to celebrate Chris Bose’s inspirational time as the 2025 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence.

June 14 – Indigenous Cultural Workshops - Zee Zee Theatre is offering Coast Salish youth-led cultural workshops in recognition of National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day. From learning how to make bead jewelry and creating cedar baskets and headbands, this full-day event will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about the weaving and beading traditions of the artists.

June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day – Block Party: The Carnegie Community Centre and the City of Vancouver are partnering for a fun and vibrant block party at the intersection of Main & Hastings. You can enjoy dynamic performances from Indigenous artists, explore cultural sharing activities, visit community organization tables and check out the Vendor Village.

June 21 – HOTLATCH – the Birdhouse is hosting a fun and fresh celebration for National Indigenous Peoples Day centering 2-Spirit, Indigiqueer and queer Indigenous people. Enjoy drag performances, genre-defying DJs, amazing food and beats all night long.

June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration – Visit Grandview Park for a Celebration Walk and then a showcase of local Indigenous artists, performers and community.

Reading & Watching

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) offers a fantastic online collection of Indigenous-made films through their Indigenous Cinema section, which provides free streaming of more than 200 film titles.

Take a Decolonization Tour of specific artworks by Indigenous artists at UBC and discuss questions of place, space, and identity.

Learn more about whose territory you are on and what language is spoken by that Nation with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council interactive map.

The VPL has created an expansive guide to learn about Indigenous peoples in Canada, including websites, online reports, current programs, recommended books and DVDs, and digital library resources.

June 21: I Am Ishi: The Performance Art Film – the Cinematheque is presenting a stunning and experimental film that serves as both a document and expansion of a performance piece by James Luna (Payómkawichum/Ipai/Mexican). Luna’s seminal Artifact Piece broke new ground for Indigenous art in the 1980s.

June 21 - Nechako: It Will Be a Big River Again – the VIFF Centre is hosting a screening of Stellat’en filmmaker Lyana Patrick’s documentary on the Stellat’en First Nation and the Saik’uz First Nation’s attempts for justice against the polluting harms of the Kenney Dam.