Indigenous Peoples Weekend is presented by Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society of Salt Spring Island, an Indigenous-led non-profit Society dedicated to Indigenous arts and music presentation.
Now in its third year, Indigenous Peoples Weekend brings Elders, artists, dancers, musicians, Knowledge Keepers, and community members from Nations across the Salish Sea, the Coast, and beyond. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are welcome to come, witness, learn, and celebrate together. All events are alcohol- and substance-free.
Indigenous Peoples Weekend 2026 is currently in development. The 2026 program is being built through a mixed-revenue plan including grant applications, ticketed events, partner support, donations, in-kind contributions, and community sponsorship.
Activities will scale according to confirmed resources, with priority placed on paying Indigenous artists, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural workers respectfully. Final program details, supporters, and funding partners will be announced as they are confirmed.
An immersive exhibit from the Quw'utsun' Cultural Connections Society at the Farmers Institute, exploring truth, reconciliation, and the journey of generations. On view throughout the weekend, June 18 – 21.
Vendors and craft market, the Elder welcome ceremony, the tipi raising, and live music into the evening — plus a community potluck feast honouring Elders.
A full day of stage shows — Ed Peekeekoot, Wesley Hardisty, Maka & 808 Ohana and more — with workshops, the silent auction, and exhibits at the Farmers Institute.
National Indigenous Peoples Day, with the Tzinquaw Dancers, Métis dancing with Danielle Enblom, Auntie Kate & the Uncles, and more.
Twenty-one events, many Nations, three days of song and ceremony across the islands. A glimpse of what we shared.
IPW is a volunteer-run gathering, held up by the community. We need help with greeting and wayfinding, set-up and tear-down, collecting donations, and driving guests — in whatever way feels best for you.
A community exhibition celebrating Indigenous creativity, culture, and storytelling for the entire month of June at ArtSpring. Submissions in all mediums are welcome, and a dedicated Children's Gallery uplifts our young artists' voices.
When we sing together, when we drum together, when we dance our young ones into the circle, that is where healing begins, and where culture continues.— Sherry Leigh Williams, Founder · Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society
The following organizations supported IPW or related Sweetgrass programming in 2025. This does not imply confirmed funding or partnership for IPW 2026.
Indigenous-led community work
Arts & Culture Support Service
Salt Spring Island
Community partner
IPW 2026 takes place on Salt Spring Island, within the ancestral and unceded homelands of Hul’q’umi’num and SENĆOŦEN-speaking Coast Salish peoples, including Nations with deep cultural, historical, and ongoing relationships to these lands and waters.
