National Indigenous History Month

Close-up of three woven cedar bracelets on a wool blanket

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 to recognize the heritage and strength of Indigenous Peoples. We encourage everyone to participate in the engaging and educational activities listed below.

Richmond Cultural Centre

Cedar Basket Weaving Workshop

Sat, Jun 15, 11:00am-2:30pm
Richmond Arts Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate

Join Musqueam artists Rita Kompst and Zoe Kompst to learn traditional techniques of Coast Salish cedar weaving and, using locally harvested cedar prepared by the artists, create a unique basket to take home. The workshop is open to participants ages 19+ and the course fee is $110 per participant. This program is presented in partnership with Community Cultural Development and Richmond Arts Centre.

Richmond Museum

Cedar - Tree of Life Workshop

Sat, Jun 8, 10:30am–12:00pm | 2:30pm-4:00pm
Sun, Jun 9, 10:30am–12:00pm | 2:30pm-4:00pm
History Lab at Richmond Cultural Centre Annex, 7660 Minoru Gate

Join Musqueam weaver, Vivian Mearns Notaro, as she shares her knowledge of cedar weaving. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own twined cedar bark bracelet, while learning about the importance of cedar bark and how it is harvested, prepared and used. Pre-registration required. The workshop is free and open to participants ages 6-12 years.

Register online:
Sat, Jun 8, 10:30am #00327041 (full)
Sat, Jun 8, 2:30pm #00327055 (full)
Sun, Jun 9, 10:30am #00327046 (full)
Sun, Jun 9, 2:30pm #00327057 (full)

Cedar: Tree Of Life Take-Home Activity Kit

Kits will be available for pick up from Fri, Jun 14 to Fri, Jun 21
Richmond Cultural Centre Annex, 7660 Minoru Gate

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with a family-friendly take-home activity kit from Richmond Museum. 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. Pre-registration required. Activity kits are free and registration is open to participants ages 6-12 years.

City Centre Community Centre

National Indigenous Peoples Day Cedar Weaving Workshop

Fri, Jun 21, 4:45-5:15pm | 5:20-5:50pm | 5:55-6:25pm
City Centre Community Centre, 5900 Minoru Blvd #105

Experience the timeless art of cedar weaving with Moon Tide Reconciliation's cultural workshops. Skilled instructors will guide you through the process of harvesting, preparing and weaving cedar into beautiful and functional works of art. Our cedar is harvested in a culturally appropriate manner, respecting the traditions and teachings of the land. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced weaver, our workshops offer something for everyone. Come learn, create and connect with the rich history and traditions of the cedar tree. The workshop fee is $10 per participant.

Register online:
Fri, Jun 21, 4:45-5:15pm $10 #00334407
Fri, Jun 21, 5:20-5:50pm $10 #00334408
Fri, Jun 21, 5:55-6:25pm $10 #00334409

Richmond Nature Park

Colours of Nature: Exploring Natural Indigenous Dyes

Sat, Jun 22, 11:00am-3:00pm
Richmond Nature House, 11851 Westminster Highway

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at Richmond Nature Park with Musqueam artist Rita Kompst-Point. She will display beautifully dyed wool, created using natural dyes from mushrooms, lichens, goldenrod, Oregon grape, and salal to name a few. Rita will also demonstrate the dyeing process, showcasing the traditional techniques used to achieve the vibrant colors. Join us to experience Indigenous artistry, learn about the cultural significance of natural dyes, and connect with the rich heritage of the Musqueam people.

Richmond Public Art

Indigenous Public Art Bus Tour

Sat, Jun 22, 10:30am-12:00pm
Meet the Bus at Richmond City Hall, 6911 No.3 Road. In front of the main plaza at the pick-up/drop-off lane

Join Musqueam Knowledge Keeper Morgan Guerin on a FREE bus tour to visit some of the City’s public artworks by Musqueam artists, including Debra Sparrow, Thomas Cannell and Susan Point. This tour is open to all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pre-registration required.

Richmond Public Library

2024 Learning with Syeyutsus, Living Indigenous Leadership:
Native Narratives on Building Strong Communities

Wed, Jun 5, 12:00-1:00pm
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse, 100-7700 Minoru Gate

Dr. Tina Ngaroimata Fraser will discuss how Indigenous leaders uniquely weave their actions with land, story, ancestors, and elders - concepts often overlooked in conventional leadership discussions. This presentation is available online and will be live-streamed at Brighouse Library. It is part of Learning with Syeyutsus, a free online Indigenous learning series. This free presentation is open to adult participants.

Transform You Through Writing: A Writing Workshop with Brandon Reid

Sat, Jun 8, 1:30-3:00pm
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse, 100-7700 Minoru Gate

Practice and share your own writing in this workshop with local author Brandon Reid! Participants will learn practical tips for long-form writing suitable for novels and practice transforming real-life experiences into fiction. Brandon will also discuss the origins of his novel Beautiful Beautiful. This free workshop is open to adult participants.

Transform Through Writing: A Children's Writing Workshop with Brandon Reid

Wed, Jun 12, 10:00-11:30am
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse, 100-7700 Minoru Gate

Join author Brandon Reid in this writing workshop for grades 5-7. Students will learn the value of perspective, generate ideas through prompts or collaborative writing, and transform their real-life experiences into fiction. The workshop is free and open to students grades 5-7.

Wild Moccasin Dancers Workshop

Fri, Jun 14, 1:30-2:30pm
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse, 100-7700 Minoru Gate

Join the Wild Moccasin Dancers for a dance performance and workshop. Participants will learn about the importance of dance in Indigenous culture and how dance is used as a means of storytelling. They will also have the opportunity to practice some moves! The workshop is free and open to students grades 3-5.

Indigenous-themed Storytimes

Sun, Jun 16 to Sat, Jun 22
Various times and locations

Family Storytimes will feature stories by Indigenous authors and illustrators. See the Events Calendar for dates, times and locations. Storytimes are free and open to participants 0-5 years.

Film Club: Indian Horse

Tue, Jun 18, 6:00-8:00pm
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse, 100-7700 Minoru Gate

Richmond Public Library's Film Club will be screening Indian Horse, directed by Stephen S. Campanelli and based on the bestselling novel by Richard Wagamese. Note that in this special edition of the Film Club, copies of the novel will be available at the 2nd Floor Ask Me Desk to read, borrow and discuss before the film screening. This free screening is open to adult participants.

Brighouse Book Club: Five Little Indians

Wed, Jun 19, 7:00-8:00pm
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse, 100-7700 Minoru Gate

Join us for a discussion of Five Little Indians by Michelle Good. This book "chronicles the desperate quest of residential school survivors to come to to terms with their past and, ultimately, find a way forward." This free event is open to adult participants.

The Stakes of Poetics: A Writing Workshop with Author Dallas Hunt

Thu, Jun 20, 7:00-8:30pm
Richmond Public Library - Brighouse, 100-7700 Minoru Gate

Join author Dallas Hunt to explore the role of aesthetics in the creation and nurturing of complex critical and creative lifeworlds. This workshop aims to address, analyze, and articulate the everyday encounters we engage in, and how we navigate them via poetics. It's a workshop on writing, but one that will interrogate why we write and the stakes in doing so. This free workshop is open to adult participants.