National Indigenous Peoples Day events happening in Edmonton

National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in Edmonton on June 21, 2023. (CTV News Edmonton)

On Saturday people all across Canada will be celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day and Edmonton will have its fair share of family-friendly events to honour Indigenous culture.

Here are some events happening around the city for National Indigenous Peoples Day:

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Bissell Centre

Families can start their celebrations in front of the Bissell Centre on Friday where traffic will be diverted to make room for the block-party event.

Attendees will be treated to the sights and sounds of Indigenous music, dancing, performances and food.

There will be a pipe ceremony, a smudge station, traditional hand games, craft-making and round dancing.

For more information on the event, visit the Bissell Centre’s website.

When: Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: 10527 96 St. NW

Telus World of Science

With general admission, guests can explore Indigenous culture at the Telus World of Science.

A tipi-raising event will kick start the festivities outside of the building at 8 a.m. before opening up to the public.

Once inside, attendees can visit the Indigenous artisan market in the main lobby, watch live performances and participate in drop-in activities including a silkscreening workshop, traditional story-telling sessions about the land, Telus World of Science’s take on making aqpiq ice cream using liquid nitrogen, and craft-making.

Free barbecue will also be provided to guests.

General admission for Indigenous Peoples will be on the house.

More information on the science centre’s programming can be found online.

When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 11211 142 St. NW

Royal Alberta Museum

The history and heritage of Indigenous communities will be on full display throughout the week at the Royal Alberta Museum.

Starting Thursday, visitors can sit in on story time, learn finger weaving, watch performances, and experience the museum’s offerings.

Admission will be free for Indigenous people, but the event is available for others to attend with a general admission ticket.

The museum’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, along with the rest of the facility’s programming, can be found on their website.

When: June 19 to 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 9810 103a Ave. NW

Fort Edmonton Park

The largest living history museum is planning an entire weekend of activities for National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The park is arranging activities throughout the weekend including tipi carving workshops, music performances, hoop dancing, hand games, and a Maskwa medicine demonstration.

A Métis Political picnic, where guests can explore the politics of Métis identity in the 1880s, will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday starting at noon.

A complete schedule is available on Fort Edmonton Park’s website.

When: June 20 to 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: 7000 143 St. NW