2026 National Indigenous Peoples Day: Gratitude & Reflections
Close to Sneq'wa e'lun – The Blue Heron House,
on the traditional lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, Power To Be joined the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, at Royal Roads University on June 19, 2026.
On the shores of this meaningful celebration, our canoes and our team took part in a traditional canoe landing protocol.
For Power To Be, the protocol served as a powerful reminder of our role as visitors, and our responsibilities to the Indigenous Peoples who continue to steward these lands and waters.
ÍY SC̸ÁĆEL NE SĆÁLEĆE! (Greetings to all our friends)
By Pāora Tāngira o Tāmaki, Indigenous Peoples Liaison, Power To Be
National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) is an important event that occurs across Kānata (Canada) nationally on June 21st. It celebrates the wonderful diversity of Indigenous belonging on these lands and waters here in Kānata and even includes participants from across the northern states of Turtle Island (U.S. America). Here on ĆEḴṮÁĆES (Vancouver Island) the celebrations abound, and our day to celebrate this event was on Friday, June 19th so that school children could be bussed in, from various schools, to join the day.
Here in Victoria, Power To Be is involved in the NIPD celebrations down at Esquimalt Lagoon close to Sneq'wa e'lun – The Blue Heron House. We have been involved in that initiative since it began in 2013. We are particularly involved in the Canoe Protocols that occur for families, groups, clans, and organizations who wish to take part in the celebrations.
For time immemorial, when visiting Indigenous lands and waters, there was a protocol that would take place. The visitor, in this case, would arrive by canoe, and come into shore with paddles raised – the face of the blades facing the shore indicating that you come in peace. They would introduce themselves: who they are, where they are from, whom they are from, and then ask permission to come ashore to celebrate. An elder would respond with gratitude for ‘coming all this way’, and then the visiting group would be invited to join the festivities. It’s a moving custom and practice that reflects thousands of years of tradition. After lunch, another tradition is practiced.
It was normal, in gatherings like this, that visitors who came by canoe would be invited to participate in canoe races in the afternoon. And so it was for this NIPD gathering. After lunch, we gathered in our various groups and were put into racing heats. There were two categories: large Pacific Dancer-sized Indigenous canoes and the smaller Langley (voyageur like)-sized canoes. Power To Be brought two Langley canoes to participate in the day’s activities. We submitted a team, in the Langley category, and we won our first heat. However, we were not so successful in our second heat as we took on an experienced Indigenous family and their friends, and we were soundly beaten. It was an enjoyable experience, with appreciation for participating, and everyone had lots of fun.
There were other activities going on at the same time: vendors to buy various Indigenous arts and wears, workshops on Indigenous knowledge, customs, and practices, opportunities to try various Indigenous foods, and displays of Indigenous dance, drums and songs. We at Power To Be always feel very grateful to be a part of this event. We hope that you, too, will have opportunities to participate in NIPD gatherings where you live, to enjoy what our Indigenous communities have to share with us.
H͸ÁȻE NE SĆÁLEĆE (Goodbye friends)
Our Deepest Gratitude
“Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day with the community is incredibly important to us.
We are grateful for the lessons and teachings offered to us by the Peoples, the land, water, and animals as we continue to learn to be respectful guests and support the communities in these territories.”
- Jason Cole, Co-CEO, Power To Be