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June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time when all Canadians can recognize the rich history, heritage, culture, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC strives to celebrate the Indigenous and First Nations communities as well with their annual Indigenous Peoples Celebration Game.
This special themed celebration match takes place on June 3, 2023. This is when the Whitecaps take on Sporting Kansas City at BC Place at 7:30 PM. You can find a cheap price for the game here.
And you’ll be glad you bought a ticket, and not just because it should be a good soccer match. But the theming makes it extra special. This is the third year of the Whitecaps’ special Indigenous Peoples Celebration Match.
The last two years, they’ve welcomed the Tsatsu Stalqayu for a memorable performance on the pitch. You may also know them as the Coastal Wolf Pack. They are a traditional Salish song and dance group that is truly multi-generational, with ages starting at six months. They represent the Coast Salish communities, which includes the Squamish, Musqueam, Tsartlip, and Nanaimo. Watching them perform is not only fun but makes for a great cultural experience.
Another thing the Vancouver Whitecaps FC has done in the past is they’ve held a pre-match jamboree at BC Place for over 100 Indigenous youth from across the region. Basically, they plan a lot of great things for the event. So you’re going to want to attend.
Vancouver Indigenous Events 2023
Looking for other events to celebrate the Indigenous communities during National Indigenous History Month in Canada? Here are just a few of the events you can attend:
- Indigenous Peoples Day: Enjoy a day of storytelling, art exhibits, drumming, dancing, crafts, food, and other traditional activities at this Indigenous People’s Day event. It takes place on June 17th, 2023, at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge, BC, and is free to the public.
- POW WOW: Honouring our Fathers, Grandfathers, and Sons: Enjoy the first annual POW WOW at Britannia Community Services Centre, brought to you by the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society. It is a great way to support healing through culture, community, and coming together during Father’s Day weekend.
- Indigenous Storytelling: Hear an Elder share stories from their life and culture at the Squamish Nation Elder’s Centre in West Vancouver
