After two years of postponing events and celebrations due to COVID-19, we’re excited to share a special guide to local events and attractions on our transit system to honour National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day throughout the month of June.

Every June, we celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and their unique cultures, languages, art, dance, food, histories, and contributions. During this month, we take time to listen and learn about stories that connect to Indigenous heritage, recognize the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities, support the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures, and focus on reconciliation and repairing Canada’s relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Here is a brief overview of events and activities you can expect to see around the region and participate in, to celebrate Indigenous History Month:

• As a part of Art Moves, TransLink’s musical performance program, we are excited to welcome Indigenous musician, Murray Porter, to perform at various locations on our transit system. You can catch Murray every Wednesday in June, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the following locations:
  • June 1: Waterfront Station
  • June 8: Lonsdale Quay SeaBus terminal
  • June 15: Surrey Central Station
  • June 22: Coquitlam Central Station
  • June 29: Bridgeport Station bus loop

• Catch the Burrard Chinook SeaBus adorned in Indigenous designs by local Indigenous artists; Kelly Cannell, Siobhan Jospeh, and Angela George of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). The designs embrace the lifecycle, history, and meaning of the chinook salmon for the local Indigenous Nations. In addition, the SeaBus holds the spelling of the Chinook in the traditional languages of the xʷməθkʷəyə, Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh Úxwumixw, and səlilwətaɬ, which are in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim.

• Join Skwachàys Lodge and Gallery, and Vancouver Native Housing Society on June 19th to celebrate their 10th Anniversary and National Indigenous Peoples Day!
  • When: Sunday June 19, 2022
  • Time: 11 am to 5 pm
  • Where: 500 Taylor Street, Vancouver, BC
  • How to get there: Take the Expo Line to Stadium–Chinatown Station

• Visit Holland Park in the Surrey City Centre on June 21st to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
  • When: Tuesday June 21, 2022
  • Time: 3 pm to 8 pm
  • Where: Holland Park – Surrey, BC
  • How to get there: Take the Expo Line to Surrey Central Station or King George Station

Have an event you’d like to include? Contact TransLink’s Indigenous Relations team at IndigenousRelations@translink.ca to include additional National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.

Watch out for weekly releases this month as we cover more details on the musical performances by Murray Porter, National Indigenous Peoples Day events throughout the Lower Mainland, and Indigenous art across our transit network.