Indigenous People's Weekend 2026-IPW26

More info to come!!

Big Hank Lionhardt and The Blue Hearts, classic Blues show. 5:00-7:00 at Mateada as part of IPW2025. Hank Lionhart is a lead vocalist for The Blue Hearts, Métis and the Blue Hearts are a blues band from Victoria, BC. The Blue Hearts also includes Mark Comerford on guitar and percussion, along with Andy Graffiti on drums. They are a blues trio that performs a mix of traditional blues and original songs. The band has represented BC at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and has been playing together for over 40 years

Artspring is hosting an Indigenous Artshow for the month of June, featuring many artists. Come meet the artists June 20 1-4:00.

As part of the many events planned for Indigenous Peoples Weekend, Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society in tandem with Artspring and IPW2025 will host a teepee raising with Elder Bruce Dumont and Elder Jo-Ina Young will also be onsite with her puppets show at 2:30. We are so honoured to have Qwiyahwultu-hw / Robert George Quw’utsun’ Elder joining us with the youth dancers, Elder Fred Roland on Saturday at 2:00 and many more wonderful events planned. Qwiyahwultu-hw / Robert George is a Quw’utsun’ Elder respected in the Cowichan valley for his immense generosity of sharing teachings, welcoming people of all races and cultures, and working together for Naat’sa Maat Swqualawu’un / One Heart One Mind. He is lead co-facilitator for the Cultural Connections Elder team and involved in many cultural projects including the Thu-it [Truth] exhibit, Reconciliation: The Journey of our Generation workshops and the Xpey’ Project. See Caroline Dick at Waterfront Country Cafe, June 21 1-3:00. Indigenous Vendors will be at the teepee Friday and Saturday at The United Church meadow. On Sunday an Indigenous music showcase will be held at Mateada with Kai Barrette, Ed Peekeecoot and lastly a show by Métis mega Blues Artist Hank Lionhardt.