Events
National People’s Day Celebration
June 21, 2026, noon to 4pm
This event features the work of First Nation artists, cultural performances, and an Indigenous market.
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Urban Park Activation at National Indigenous People’s Day Block Party
June 21, 10am to 2pm
Urban Park Activation (UPA) is excited to support the National Indigenous People’s Day Block Party at Main St and Hastings St again this year. UPA will be hosting two tables this year at the event to welcome community to our upcoming projects in Andy Livingstone Park and Pigeon Park. Come by and meet Elders Les Nelson and Marr Doval, and Lisa and Paulo, the new artists in residence at Art in the Park, and say hello to the artists from Gallery Gachet, who will by activating Pigeon Park this summer.
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Haida and Squamish Stories with Kung Jaadee
June 20, 2026, 11am to 11:45am
Kung Jaadee is a professional storyteller, educator and author who has been sharing First Nations stories for 30-plus years across Canada. She belongs to the X̱aayda (Haida), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Tlingit, Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and is also part Hawaiian. She was born and raised on Haida Gwaii and loves sharing Haida and Squamish stories which include universal teachings about respect, responsibility, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Activity: #625599
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West Coast Family Nights
Every Wednesday from June 3 to July 29, 2026, 6pm to 9pm
Urban Park Activation invites you to Woodland Park this summer for another season of West Coast Family Night in collaboration with the West Coast Night Committee. Every Wednesday evening in June and July, community gather to share songs, dance, and stories, celebrating the rich cultural traditions of the West Coast Indigenous Peoples.
For more information, email [email protected]
Programming
WCT - Ribbon Shirts
June 2 to June 9, 2026, 6pm to 9pm
Join Ruby Harry of the Tsilhqot'in Nation in making Ribbon Shirts bring a Button up Shirt to sew beautiful Ribbon designs onto the front or back. Express your favourite colours and designs. Ruby will share Ribbon Shirt teachings and basic sewing. Activity: #615743
Important note Must bring your own button up dress shirt.
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Indigenous Led Nature Walk with Raven and Hummingbird Tea Co
June 4, 2026, 5pm to 7pm
Join Raven and Hummingbird Tea Co, Squamish ethnobotanists for an Indigenous led nature walk in Everett Crowley Park. RH Teas are tea makers and Indigenous knowledge holders and sharers. In this workshop you will learn about native and invasive plants in Everett Crowley Park, and their traditional uses in indigenous plant medicines.
For more than 30 years, T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss has been studying ethnobotany, indigenous plant use and medicinal herbs, and in her learning, has raised her daughter sen̓áḵw Senaqwila these teachings. Passing this knowledge to each generation is vital to their culture and health. Activity: #621351
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Drum Making Workshop
June 19, 2026, 6:15pm to 8:15pm
The drum workshop with Sabian M Rawcliffe will be a 10” natural deer hide on a laminated maple frame using synthetic sinew. The technique I have developed for drum tieing was designed to be maker with consideration for arthritic Elders and youth (8 years and older).
In addition to tieing a drum, participants also learn to tie a dream catcher in the back with the stories and teachings that go with both. Upon completion participants received a tanned deer leather drum stick (pre-made by the instructor). Activity: #616030
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Botanical Inks from Invasive Plants
June 22, 2026, 6:45pm to 8:45pm
Working with Periwinkle, European Mountain Ash, Flatweed and Horse Chestnut, we'll create a botanical palette that ranges from browns to yellows, and greens to blues. Participants will learn about the ecologies and colonial histories of these invasive plants. Each participant will take home three small containers of ink. All materials are provided but sketchbooks are encouraged! Activity: #605162
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Indigenous Wool Bracelet Weaving Workshop
June 9, 2026, noon to 2pm
An introduction to weaving using handmade cardboard looms. Participants will create their own woven bracelets while learning about traditional materials, process and the revitalization of Salish weaving. All wool and supplies included.
Aleen Sparrow is a Musqueam weaver from Vancouver, BC, with a deep love for natural fibres and the stories they hold. Taught by her mother, her work specializes in Coast Salish teachings and guided by the strength of her matriarchs. She’s passionate about sharing weaving within her community and internationally, building connection through the quiet, powerful language of fibre.
Beyond her weaving practice, Aleen co-owns Salish Blanket Co. and has modelled for Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, continuing to celebrate and uplift Indigenous design and creativity in contemporary spaces. Activity: #615305
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Wild and Edible Plants
June 14, 2026, 11am to 1pm
In this Village Vancouver Westside Neighbourhood Food Network workshop with Laura Cisneros, you will discover the goodness of life giving plants that grow around us. You will explore what wild, edible, and medicinal plants can teach us about health, medicine making, and our connection to the Earth and our responsibility for this relationship which will take us into the future. We'll have a community seed library present, pick up some free seeds for your garden, swap or donate seeds.
Fee includes cost of all materials. Reduced fee for seniors (65 and over). Part of our 10th Annual Westside Food Festival (May 19 to July 11). Activity: #613646
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Strawberry Teachings: Cooking and Conversation with Kanatiio
June 17, 2026, 1pm to 3pm
Come and explore the medicinal and symbolic significance of wild strawberries, also known as “heart berries” in Indigenous Culture. Enjoy this versatile berry in traditional Indigenous ways, as well as more familiar applications. Activity: #614419
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Medicine Wheel Garden - Medicine Making Workshop
June 28, 2026, 11am to 2pm
This month in the garden, we will be joined by a guest speaker to share about medicine making and indigenous traditional practices using the plants growing in the garden. Join us for this informative hands-on session with some light garden tending and harvesting.
This project is currently being supported by Community Garden Roots in partnership with Lu’Ma Medical Centre and Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. We are grateful for the ongoing support from all our funders and for Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House for the previous stewardship and expansion of this space. Activity: #617087
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One Day: Indigenous Beading Workshop for Adults
June 7 and June 21, 2026, 1pm to 3pm
Learn Indigenous Beading with Gigi. This class will:
- Introduce you to the trading of different beads from cultures and the history of seed beads, shell beads, and glass beads
- Make a beaded floral rosette and the class will be able to choose which colour combinations they want and a choice of seed or glass bead
Get more details and sign up for these activities: June 7 (activity: #609952) and June 21 (activity: #609954)
Salish Wool Weaving Workshop
June 15, 2026, 2pm to 4pm
Join Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph and discover the traditional techniques of Salish Wool Weaving! The Coastal Nations have a rich cultural past that includes the collection, spinning and weaving from mountain goat wool. Create your own woven cuff/keepsake while learning the traditional technique used by the Squamish nation. Activity: #613178
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