Presented by Canoe Cultures and the VMM
June 19 to June 30
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day by learning about local Indigenous traditions. From June 19 to June 30, you can watch Indigenous paddle carvers at work on the Vancouver Maritime Museum terrace.
Elders and artist from the Canoe Cultures program will be carving paddles on the terrace from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. most days. They will make a total of five paddles which will be displayed in the VMM alcove in August.
This event is also a celebration of the VMM feature exhibition Canoe Cultures :: Ho’-ku-melh – War Canoes and the Gifts They Carry Forward. The exhibition highligts the importance of the canoe to Indigenous communities. The canoe is a vital element of coastal Indigenous life and demonstrates the ongoing relationship local First Nations have with unceded territories.
Special Kickoff Event
On June 19, join Vancouver Maritime Museum staff and Canoe Cultures artists for the launch of the event. We’ll be celebrating with sweet treats and special activities for kids outside on the museum terrace.
Kickoff Event: June 19 | 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Location: Vancouver Maritime Museum Terrace
Canoe Cultures
This paddle carving event is hosted partnership with Canoe Cultures. Canoe Cultures is a program led by seventh-generation canoe builder Mike Billy Sr., who has the hereditary Squamish name Lemxacha Siyam. Canoe cultures creates project which promote and suppors canoe pulling by creating new canoes through an apprenticeship program. This project provides valuable skills and knowledge to youth and young adults through the construction of new canoes which are then gifted for local communities to use. The Canoe Cultures program has brought new canoes to Squamish, has restored a 70-year-old canoe for Musqueam and is currently creating new vessels for Tsleil-Waututh.
Event Schedule:
June 19 – Kickoff Event – 10:30 to 2:30
Live paddle carving, sweet treats and activities for kids
June 20 – no carving
June 21 – no carving
June 22 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Live paddle carving
June 23 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Live paddle carving
June 24 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Live paddle carving
June 25 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Live paddle carving
June 26 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Live paddle carving
June 27 – no carving
June 28 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Live paddle carving
June 29 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Live paddle carving
June 30 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – live paddle carving
This outdoor event is free, and no registration is required.
To visit the Canoe Cultures exhibition inside the museum, you must pay museum admission. See the hours and rates page for details.
Photos courtesey of Canoe Cultures