National Indigenous History Month (June 1-30)
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. There are a variety of events and activities taking place in Richmond throughout the month to learn more about the cultures, traditions and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples.
We encourage everyone to participate in the engaging and educational activities listed below:
Ongoing
Community Arts Student Exhibition
Drop by the Richmond Cultural Centre Upper Rotunda Gallery to enjoy artworks created by students of Indigenous ancestry featuring a wide range of traditional and contemporary practices including beadwork, crochet, drums, leather, painting, weaving and more. This exhibition is presented by the City of Richmond in partnership with the Richmond School District’s Indigenous Success Program. This program is for all ages. No registration required.
Richmond Cultural Centre Upper Rotunda Gallery
Jun 1 to 26, Mon to Fri 9:00am-9:00pm, Sat and Sun 10:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday, June 4
StoryWalk® at Cambie
Follow along as a librarian from the Richmond Public Library read aloud Orca Chief, by Roy Henry Vickers, from pages attached to trees throughout King George Park. A StoryWalk® is a fun, educational activity that promotes literacy, learning and outdoor play. This program is for ages 7 and under. Parent participation is required. Meeting place is outside the entrance of Cambie Community Centre. No registration required.
Cambie Community Centre
1:30-2:00pm
Thursday, June 5
Indigenous Author Series: Author Talk and Plant Walk with LoriAnn Bird
Join Red River Métis herbalist LoriAnn Bird as she shares her book Revered Roots and takes the group on a guided 45-minute outdoor plant walk through Minoru Park. This program is for students in grades 4-6. Limited public registration at YourLibrary.ca/events.
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse
11:00am-12:00pm
Saturday, June 7
Medicine Pouch Workshop
Create your own sacred medicine pouch from pre-punched buckskin and take it home as a keepsake. In this powerful and enriching cultural experience, learn the significance of the four sacred medicines and the traditional protocols for carrying them. Supplies included. Cost is $15. This program is for all ages. Pre-registration is required; register at richmond.ca/register using course ID: 00425247
City Centre Community Centre
1:00-2:30pm
Thursday, June 12
Indigenous Author Series: Nicola Campbell
Join Interior Salish author Nicola Campbell as she shares from her story basket of children’s books and poetry, rooted within the beautiful homelands of Interior and Coast Salish Peoples of British Columbia. Her story weavings share resilience, reconnection, and narrative memory through an almost tactile representation of being on the land and water. This program is for students in grades 3-5. Limited public registration at YourLibrary.ca/events.
Richmond Public Library - Ironwood
11:00am-12:00pm
Learning with Syeyutsus, Living Indigenous Leadership: Native Narratives on Building Strong Communities
Join Salma Monani, a pioneering voice in ecocinema studies, as she offers critical insights into the environmental dimensions of Indigenous storytelling and the transformative role these perspectives play in reshaping our understanding of cinema’s relationship with the environment. This program is for adults. Register at YourLibrary.ca/events.
Richmond Public Library - Online
12:00-1:00pm;
Indigenous Author Series: Nicola Campbell
Join Interior Salish author Nicola Campbell as she shares from her story basket of children’s books and poetry, rooted within the beautiful homelands of Interior and Coast Salish Peoples of British Columbia. Her story weavings share resilience, reconnection, and narrative memory through an almost tactile representation of being on the land and water. This program is for students in grades 3-5. Limited public registration at
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse
1:30-2:30pm
Saturday, June 14
Cedar Weaving Coaster Making Workshop
Create your own cedar-woven coaster and learn about the cultural significance of this sacred tree. This workshop is presented in partnership with Moon Tide Reconciliation. Supplies included. This program is for all ages. Register at richmond.ca/register with course ID: 00428439.
Hamilton Community Centre
1:00-2:00pm
Take Home Activity Kit: June 17-21
Cedar: Tree Of Life Take-Home Activity Kit
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with a family-friendly take-home activity kit. Learn all about the cedar tree and its significance for many First Peoples. Special access to video content created by Musqueam weaver Vivian Mearns Notaro will help you weave your own cedar twined bracelet with materials provided. Activity kits cost $7 with proceeds going towards a charity of our weaver’s choice. This program is for ages 6 to 12. Register at RichmondMuseum.ca.
Kits will be available for pick up at the Richmond Cultural Centre Annex from June 17 to 21.
Richmond Museum
Tuesday, June 17
Film Club: Night Raiders
Join the Richmond Public Library for a screening of Night Raiders, a sci-fi thriller by award-winning Cree/ Métis writer and director Danis Goulet. Her films have screened at festivals around the world including Sundance, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Toronto International Film Festival. This program is for adults. Register at YourLibrary.ca/events.
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse
6:00-8:00pm
Saturday, June 21
Family Storytime
Join the Richmond Public Library in the Kids’ Place Program Room for songs and stories featuring Indigenous authors and illustrators. This program is for families with preschool children. No registration required. More information: YourLibrary.ca/events.
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse
10:30-11:00am
National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Join Chimo Community Services for a family-friendly event celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. Connect with Indigenous Elders, enjoy Indigenous food, learn about traditional Indigenous crafts, and try your hand at creating one. This program is for all ages. Registration required; to register, Contact Chimo Community Services at 604-279-7077 or chimo@ChimoServices.com.
City Centre Community Centre
1:00-4:00pm
Wednesday, June 25
Cedar Rope Bracelet Workshop
Learn the craft of cedar rope-making and create a one-of-a-kind bracelet. Presented by Moon Tide Reconciliation, this hands-on class is perfect for all skill levels and connects participants to culture, creativity, and community. This program is for all ages. Registration is required; register at richmond.ca/register using barcode...
South Arm Community Centre
4:30-6:00pm
Thursday, June 26
Indigenous Author Series: Jessica Johns: Bad Cree
Join Jessica Johns for a reading and presentation of her award-winning novel, Bad Cree. Explore the elements of her storytelling that invoke dreaming, matriarchal governance, and imagining futures of kinship. This program is for adults. Register at YourLibrary.ca/events.
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse
7:00-8:00pm
Saturday, June 28
Colours of the Land – The Art of Indigenous Wool Dyeing
Visit the Richmond Nature Park as Musqueam artist Rita Kompst-Point displays her beautifully dyed wool, created using natural dyes from mushrooms, lichens, goldenrod, Oregon grape, Salal and more. Learn about the dyeing process, showcasing the traditional techniques used to achieve vibrant colours. This is a unique opportunity to experience Indigenous artistry and learn about the cultural significance of natural dyes. This program is for all ages. No registration required.
Richmond Nature Park
11:00am-3:00pm
Thursday, June 29
Indigenous Author Series: Author Talk and Plant Walk with LoriAnn Bird
Join Red River Métis herbalist LoriAnn Bird as she shares her book Revered Roots which contains purposeful and powerful reference to lessons, nourishment, healing and history of our ‘plant teachers’. She then takes the group on a guided 45-minute outdoor plant walk through Minoru Park. This program is for all ages. Register at YourLibrary.ca/events.
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse
11:00am-12:30pm