Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 2025

Every June 21st, coinciding with summer solstice, Canada celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day.  Canadians take this opportunity to recognize the valuable contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples to society, culture and Nation-building and to acknowledge the resilience of Indigenous peoples.

The Royal BC Museum is honoured to be in partnership with the two lək̓ʷəŋən host Nations, on whose Territory the PARC Campus is being constructed.  With the support and guidance from Kosapsum and Songhees Nations, local Indigenous culture will be recognized, celebrated and integrated into elements of the design of the building and the operations of the facility.

These Lands are Lekwungen. At the entrance to the facility, visitors will come upon a large sign which references Teechamitsa as the original name of the area.  The name is thought to reference the approximate 50 members of the Teechamit family group who lived in the area when the 1850 Douglas Treaties were signed. (Source: Grant Keddie, Songhees Pictorial, 2003)   Interestingly, records suggest this group was also referred to as Stsanges, from which the name Songhees is derived. 

This sign will sit prominently at the entrance to the building, to welcome and to help situate visitors in the territory.

Gather round. A key feature of the beautiful grounds will be a Gathering Circle, inspired by Coast Salish “big house” culture.  The outdoor area will be a space to hold ceremony, learning opportunities and multi-cultural celebrations, in the spirit of fostering good relations.

To the right is a rendering of the Gathering Circle, which will be located in the heart of the PARC Campus near the entrance.

This year, on Friday, June 20th, National Indigenous Peoples Day will be celebrated in the Westshore on the grounds of Royal Roads University – just down the way from PARC Campus. 

Members of the Songhees and Kosapsum Nations will launch the day in a good way, as they stand at the shore and ceremonially welcome guests to their Territory with the canoe protocol their relatives have followed for thousands of years.  After the10:00 am protocol, a full day of activities will be rolled out which include canoe races, a mainstage, a vendor’s market, food trucks and ethno-botony tours.

For a detailed schedule, visit  National Indigenous Peoples Month & Day | Royal Roads University. 

RESOURCES:

1. Songhees Pictorial – A History of the Songhees People as seen by Outsiders, 1790-1912 by Grant Keddie, published by Royal BC Museum.

2. To learn more about the Douglas Treaties –  Vancouver Island (Douglas) Treaties and to see the original and translated documents held at RBCM – follow these links:  Vancouver Island Treaty Translations | Royal BC Museum and Archives