To commemorate National Indigenous History Month in June and National Indigenous Peoples Day on Wednesday, June 21, a variety of events and activities are taking place at the Richmond Cultural Centre and the Richmond Public Library to recognize the heritage and strength of Indigenous Peoples.
The programs and exhibitions offered include:
Richmond Cultural Centre
Cedar - Tree Of Life Take-Home Activity Kit
Kits will be available for pick up at the Richmond Cultural Centre from June 15 to 21.
Richmond Museum, 7700 Minoru Gate
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 bracelet with materials provided. Activity kits are free and registration open to participants ages six to 12 years. To register, visit Richmond Museum (Event ID 242949).
Cedar Bracelet Weaving Workshop with Rita Kompst
Saturday, June 25, 11:00am to 1:00pm
Richmond Arts Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate
Join Musqueam artist Rita Kompst to learn traditional techniques of Coast Salish cedar weaving and, using locally harvested cedar prepared by the artist, create a unique bracelet to take home. The workshop is open to participants ages 16+ and is $20 per participant. To register, visit the Program Registration page (Event ID 217808).
Hope and Healing Canada Exhibit by Tracey-Mae Chambers
Ongoing until September 30
Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate
Visit the Richmond Cultural Centre’s rotunda for Tracey-Mae Chambers’ site-responsive artist project, Hope and Healing Canada. The goal of Chambers’ art installation is to broach the subject of decolonization with viewers and to help bridge the gap between settlers and Indigenous, Métis and Inuit people. Learn more on TraceyMae.
Artist Salon: Tracey-Mae Chambers on Traveling Exhibitions
Wednesday, June 28, 7:00 to 8:00pm
Richmond Art Gallery, 7700 Minoru Gate
Tracey-Mae Chambers is traveling Canada and the USA creating site-specific art installations at residential school historical sites, cultural centres, museums, art galleries and other public spaces. Hear about her journey in developing and funding this ongoing project with tips and advice for artists seeking to exhibit in various spaces across the country. To register for the free webinar on, visit the Richmond Art Gallery website.
Richmond Public Library
The library’s Indigenous Perspectives Collection is displayed at all its locations throughout the month of June and community members are encouraged to explore its dedicated Indigenous Resources webpage.
For more information and to register for the following free programs, visit Richmond Public Library or call the Library at 604-231-6413.
Book Club: Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
Monday, June 12, 7:00 to 8:00pm
Brighouse Library – Community Place Program Room (2nd floor), 7700 Minoru Gate
Prior to this meeting, participants will have read Indian Horse, a novel by award-winning Canadian Indigenous author Richard Wagamese. During the meeting, passages will be read and discussed.
Indigenous Plant Walk with Lori Snyder at Steveston Park
Thursday, June 15, 4:00 to 5:00pm
Steveston Library, 4111 Moncton Street
Join the program facilitator at Steveston Park for an Indigenous Plant Walk. Listen to Métis herbalist and plant educator Lori Snyder as she talks about the plant life local to the Steveston neighbourhood. Dress for the weather as this session takes place outside.
Children’s Programs: Family and Teddybear Storytimes
Sunday, June 19 to Sunday, June 24
Various library locations
Storytimes will feature stories by Indigenous authors and illustrators.
Film Club: Wildhood
Tuesday, June 20, 6:00 to 8:30pm
Brighouse Library – Community Place Program Room (2nd floor), 7700 Minoru Gate
Richmond Public Library's Film Club invites the public to a screening of Wildhood (2021) written and directed by Bretten Hannam, a Two-Spirit filmmaker living in Kespukwitk, L’nuekati (Nova Scotia).
Film Club: Beans
Tuesday, June 20, 6:00 to 8:30pm
Brighouse Library – Community Place Program Room (2nd floor), 7700 Minoru Gate
Join Richmond Public Library for a screening of the award-winning film Beans (2020), directed by Tracey Deer. Based on true events, Tracey Deer's debut feature chronicles the 78-day standoff between two Mohawk communities and government forces in 1990 in Quebec.
To learn more about National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day, visit the Government of Canada website.