Indigenous History Month - UBC Okanagan Events Calendar

Junior All Native Basketball Tournament hosted by UBC Okanagan, 2022

June commemorates Indigenous History Month in Canada.

UBC Okanagan’s campus community and all people are encouraged to learn about, appreciate and acknowledge the rich history, heritage, resilience, contributions and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across the country.

We respectfully acknowledge the Syilx Okanagan Nation and their peoples, in whose traditional, ancestral, unceded territory UBC Okanagan is situated. Learn about Indigenous Engagement at UBC Okanagan.

June 21 is recognized as National Indigenous Peoples Day by the Government of Canada, a day to commemorate and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

UBC Okanagan Events

Indigenous Reads Summer Book Club
June 5, 2024, 10–11 am at the UBCO Library

As the weather gets warmer we are eager to get together and spend time outside with a new book. We hope you’ll join us as we read and reflect on Arthur Manuel’s Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-Up Call.

Indigenous Art Intensive 2024: Kevin McKenzie, Victoria Jaenig, asinnajaq
June 5, 2024, 12–3:30 pm at the University Theatre (ADM 026)

Join us for a keynote address by UBC Okanagan Gallery exhibiting artist in residence Kevin McKenzie. McKenzie’s keynote will be followed by artist talks from Victoria Jaenig and asinnajaq. Following the talks there will be a brief question and answer period with the artists moderated by UBC Okanagan Gallery Director Tania Willard.

Exhibition Opening Reception for Honky Tonk Chapel: Kevin McKenzie
June 5, 2024, 5–7 pm at the FINA Gallery

The exhibition Honky Tonk Chapel, curated by UBC Okanagan Gallery Curator, Dr. Stacey Koosel features Kevin McKenzie’s well known series of resin-cast, neon glowing buffalo skulls, in an installation which juxtaposes pop culture, muscle cars, hot rods and honky tonk bar references with sacred icons intrinsic to Indigenous traditional beliefs and spirituality, such as buffalo skulls and religious motifs.

The Honky Tonk Chapel Exhibition is open to the public May 10 – August 22, weekdays 10 am – 4 pm and weekends 9 am – 5 pm.

Glitching Landscape Photography Workshop with Krystle Silverfox
June 8, 2024, 1–3 pm at the FINA Gallery

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about digital negatives and basic code manipulation of digital photographs. We will explore a process of text-based coding to create unexpected glitches within landscape photographs. Participants will experiment and play with provided landscape photography, and learn how to create abstracted landscape photographs without Photoshop.

Indigenous Art Intensive 2024: Artist talks with Marika Swan and Krystle Silverfox
June 12, 2024, 12–1 pm (Marika) and 1:30–3:30 pm (Krystle) at the University Theatre (ADM 026)

Join us for a series of talks with printmaker and photographer Marika Swan and interdisciplinary artist Krystle Silverfox followed by a question and answer period moderated by UBC Okanagan Gallery Director Tania Willard.

National Indigenous Peoples’ Day Mini-Film Festival
June 18–20, 2024, 1–3:30 pm at the UBCSUO Theatre (UNC 106)

Indigenous Programs and Services is highlighting several short films each day that provide unique insights and expand our understanding of Indigenous Peoples in what we now call Canada. From films about language and worldview, to drumming, basketball, and hockey, you can pick and choose from a variety of fantastic short films.

Featured Community Events

Hi-Story! Celebrating Indigenous Voices
June 1, 2024, 11 am – 1 pm at the Okanagan Regional Library, 1380 Ellis Street, Kelowna

Indigenous history is often told by unreliable narrators, with no Indigenous voices. This Indigenous History Month, listen to authors Nicola Campbell (Nłeʔkepmx, Syilx and Métis) and Levi Bent/qʷyqʷaʕyáx̌n (Syilx) speak to the importance of their Indigenous stories—both past and present!

Learning a Language: nsyilxcən for Everyone Level 1
June 4, 2024, 5:30–6:30 pm at the Laurel Packinghouse, 1304 Ellis Street, Kelowna

This workshop will give participants a start on pronunciation, greetings and language meaning. This class is for everyone, regardless of heritage.

This workshop is designed as a series of four sessions. Dates are Tuesdays, June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024.

nsyilxcən: The Journey Continues
June 11, 2024, 6:45–7:45 pm at the Laurel Packinghouse, 1304 Ellis Street, Kelowna

Through a series of dynamic classes, students with a beginner understanding of nsyilxcən will engage with each other and their instructor as they continue their learning.

2024 Siyaten Festival
June 15, 2024, 9 am – 8 pm at Pine Stadium, 1900 Quail Lane, Westbank

The 2024 siyaten Festival presented by Sncəwips Heritage Museum is a public display of community, culture, and collaboration! Throughout the day there will be a vendors market, live stage performances, food trucks, giveaways, and so much more. We encourage you to stop by, even for a moment, to partake in the festivities, support local Indigenous arts and culture, and enjoy a beautiful summers day with your family!

Indigenous Artisan Fair
June 21, 2024, 10:30 am – 1 pm at 750 Vaughan Avenue, Kelowna

FortisBC Kelowna is hosting its first Indigenous Artisan fair to honour, experience and support local Indigenous artists.

Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society’s annual Turtle Island Festival
June 21, 2024 at 400-500 Block of Leon Avenue, Kelowna

The Turtle Island Festival includes crafts, food, entertainment, a mini pow-wow, and tons of amazing Indigenous vendors. This year, it will also celebrate Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society’s 50th anniversary.

na’ʔk’ʷulamən (what we do): syilx Traditional Plant Use Walking Tour
June 23, 2024, 10 am – 12 pm at the Laurel Packinghouse, 1304 Ellis Street, Kelowna

Stroll from the Laurel Packinghouse to the Rotary Marsh with syilx knowledge carriers as they teach about traditional plant use.

nsyilxcən: The Journey Continues
June 25, 2024, 6:45–7:45 pm at the Laurel Packinghouse, 1304 Ellis Street, Kelowna

Through a series of dynamic classes, students with a beginner understanding of nsyilxcən will engage with each other and their instructor as they continue their learning.

Kamloopa Powwow
June 28–30, 2024 at the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Special Events Facility (the Arbour), 345 Powwow Trail, Kamloops

A Powwow brings people together to celebrate culture and lift spirits. Kamloopa Powwow helps to honour personal pride as First Nations and share their beautiful culture and territory with the world.

Our Living Languages: First Peoples’ Voices in BC
The Museum and Archives of Vernon, 3009 32nd Avenue, Vernon

Learn about the history of disrupted languages in BC, the complexity of these languages, and the people—and entire communities—that are working tirelessly to document and revitalize them.

Looking for UBC Vancouver Indigenous History Month events or resources? Visit events.ubc.ca/indigenous-history-month