10 Cities in Canada: Free Indigenous Events Happening in June

Avneet Takhar

June 14, 20235 min read

It’s our favourite month of the year- National Indigenous History Month! So we give a lowdown on some fun and free events, both in-person and online that we really think you shouldn’t miss.

See what’s up in your city!

Winnipeg

Indigenous Day Live

An Indigenous market in partnership with APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), will be bringing live performances from The Halluci Nation, Laura Niquay, Pow Wow legendary dancer David Whitebean and more, as well as a Métis fiddle competition to the mix!

Visit: Indigenous Day Live

When: June 17

Where: The Forks Market, Winnipeg

Halifax

Flag Raising and Pow Wow

For the flag raising event there will be performances by Inuit throat singers and traditional dancers. And the Pow Wow will be hosted by Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre.

Visit: Halifax.ca

When: Flag Raising – June 21, Pow Wow- June 23- 25

Where: Grand Parade Square, Halifax and Zatzman Sportsplex Arena, Dartmouth

Thunder Bay

Fort William First Nation and Anemki Wajiw Mount McKay

Pow Wows, giveaways, a feast and a sunrise ceremony await you at this special celebration.

Visit: Thunderbay.ca and download the poster

When: June 21

Where: Fort William First Nation and Anemki Wajiw Mount McKay (up the mountain)

Toronto

Tkaronto Music Festival

There’s a wide range of musicians that will be bringing their voices to the stage, including the soulful Julian Taylor, Inuk and Juno-award winning singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark, Anishnaabe artists Ombiigizi (which means "This is Noisy!"), and TheRa11n , a Plains Cree and Two-Spirit diva who has a Pow-Wow- inspired and hip-hop electric sound!

Visit: Tkaronto Music Festival

When: June 21-24
Where: Stackt Marketplace, Toronto

Ombiigizi - pronounced om-BEE-ga-ZAY (image courtesy of Tkaronto Music Festival)

Ottawa

Jukebox Lunch Concerts

Catch Lyle Odjick (who hails from Algonquin) and The Northern Steam at Jukebox Lunch Concerts. They’re a blues band who have been named number #6 in The Roots Music Report's Top 50 Canadian Albums!

Visit: National Arts Centre

When: June 15

Where: Peter A. Herrndorf Place, Ottawa

Vancouver and B.C

Vancouver Symphony

The Path Forward is a day-long festival curated by the VSO (Vancouver Symphony Orchestra) Indigenous Council and will feature orchestrations of the Musqueam Paddle Song, various Indigenous artists, vendors and even a fashion show. Prepare to be bedazzled!

Visit: The Path Forward

When: June 24

Where: The Orpheum, Vancouver

Angela Sterritt’s Unbroken Book Tour

Sharing her powerful, best-selling memoir, Unbroken you can meet CBC’s Gitxsan investigative reporter, Angela Sterritt in-person at the reading sessions she’ll be attending across B.C.

Visit: @angela_sterritt

When: June 16, June 21, June 24

Where: West Vancouver, Hazelton, Prince George

Unbroken tour dates (image courtesy of Angela Sterritt)

Victoria

Royal Roads University

Canoe challenges, guided walks, arts and crafts, tasty food trucks and Indigenous artisans - there’s something for everyone at this fantastic gathering.

Visit: Royal Roads University and download the poster

When: June 21

Where: Royal Roads University, Victoria

Montreal

Sooo much to do

There’s a long list of amazing Indigenous events happening across Montreal in June, including exhibitions, craft circles, Native pride giveaways and many more fun things!

Visit: Indigenous Community Network

When: Throughout June
Where: Various locations throughout Montreal

*Not all events listed are free