Indigenous Events

Connect, Learn, and Celebrate – Indigenous Events Await You Wherever You Are.

New Zealand

Event: World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025

Date: November 16–20, 2025

Location: Auckland International Conference Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

Details: WIPCE 2025 is a global gathering dedicated to Indigenous education, bringing together Indigenous representatives from around the world to share successes and strategies for culturally grounded education. The conference will commence with a pōwhiri (traditional welcome) by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the local tribe of central Auckland. Over four days, attendees will engage with national and international keynote speakers, participate in academic and community presentations, and join networking sessions, symposiums, panel discussions, seminars, and workshops. The event also features cultural excursions, a village marketplace, a parade of nations, and concludes with a closing ceremony and finale concert. The conference is based on the fundamental principle of Indigenous control of Indigenous education, aiming to protect, preserve, and develop Indigenous cultures through education.

Tanya Tourangeau will be speaking at WIPCE 2025

British Columbia

Event: BCAFN AGM 2025 (BC Association of First Nations Annual General Meeting)

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 28 – Thursday, October 30, 2025

Location: Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre — 1250 Rogers Way, Kamloops, British Columbia

Details:
The BCAFN AGM is the annual gathering of First Nations in British Columbia, providing space for governance, Indigenous leadership dialogue, and collaborative planning. Sessions will include:

  • Assembly meetings and policy updates

  • Workshops and breakout groups on economic, health, environmental, and cultural priorities

  • Cultural performances and arts presentations

  • Networking dinners and community gatherings

Access / Registration: Available to BC First Nations communities, delegates, and invited stakeholders (pre-registration required)

Event: TRANSFORM Festival

Date & Time: November 6 – November 15, 2025

Location: Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St, Vancouver, British Columbia

Details:
TRANSFORM Festival returns for its sixth year, centering powerful performances by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists across theatre, music, drag, circus, comedy, and experimental forms.

Key nights include:

  • Opening BASH! — a fusion of dance, circus, drag, and more

  • Wolf Cull (Workshop Production) — an Indigenous thriller exploring internal trauma and healing

  • Where the Rivers Meet — a concert weaving Indigenous traditions and modern harmonies

  • The Starwalker Experience — celebrating the musical Starwalker with drag and multimedia elements

  • Closing BASH! — a finale with returning performers and surprises

The festival is produced by Urban Ink in collaboration with The Cultch, programs works on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh lands, and offers Indigenous pricing and complimentary tickets for Indigenous patrons.

Event: Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) 2025

Date & Time: November 19 – 22, 2025

Location: The Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, British Columbia

Details:
VIFW 2025 celebrates Indigenous creativity, culture, and fashion across four themed evenings:

  • Night 1 (Nov 19): Red Dress Event — in remembrance of missing and murdered Indigenous people

  • Night 2 (Nov 20): All My Relations Couture Night — Indigenous couture & connectedness

  • Night 3 (Nov 21): Indigenous Futures — spotlighting Indigenous futurism, streetwear, design, and innovation

  • Night 4 (Nov 22): Spirit of the West Coast — designs inspired by West Coast traditions, landscapes, and identity

VIFW aims to use fashion as a bridge between Indigenous values, history, and contemporary culture. It also promotes ethical and sustainable practices, seeks to dismantle stereotypes, and encourages authentic representation.

Organizer / Note:
VIFW acknowledges that it is held on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ / Tsleil-Waututh Nations and stands in solidarity with their histories and communities.

Alberta

Event: A Very Indigenous Holiday Market 2025

Date & Time:

  • Friday, November 14, 2025 — 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

  • Saturday, November 15, 2025 — 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

  • Sunday, November 16, 2025 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Location: Alberta Aviation Museum Event Hangar, 11410 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, Alberta

Details: Hosted by the Indigenous Artist Market Collective, A Very Indigenous Holiday Market 2025 is a vibrant three-day community event featuring over 100 vendors offering Indigenous art, crafts, fashion, beadwork, and more. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, silent auctions, and door prizes while supporting local Indigenous makers. Admission is free, and the market also encourages giving back — donations of gently used clothing, outerwear, shoes, new socks, underwear, toiletries, and feminine hygiene products will be accepted at the door. This festive market combines shopping, cultural celebration, and community care, making it a must-attend holiday event.

Event: 2026 International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC)

Date & Time:
February 17–19, 2026

Location:
Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta (Amiskwacîwâskahikan / Treaty 6 Territory)

Details:

  • Hosted by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), in partnership with Indigenous Tourism Alberta, Explore Edmonton, and Travel Alberta The premier global gathering in Indigenous tourism, connecting community leaders, tourism businesses, policymakers, partners, and industry experts worldwide

  • Features include:
    • Three days of learning and networking with expanded programming for deeper engagement
    • Inspirational keynote speakers from across Indigenous tourism sectors
    • Interactive workshops and panels covering marketing, sustainable product development, leadership, and partnerships
    • Cultural experiences, performances, and traditional exchanges integrated throughout the agenda

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Event: Driving While Indigenous Motivational Event & Gala

Date & Time: Friday, November 21, 2025 — 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, followed by Gala 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Location: Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 1808 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Details:
Hosted by the Featherstone Group, Driving While Indigenous is a high-energy motivational event designed to uplift Indigenous changemakers, leaders, artists, and community members. The daytime component (9 AM – 4 PM) features powerful speakers, performances, storytelling, and inspiration. The evening Gala (6 PM onward) brings together guests for celebration, networking, and recognition of Indigenous excellence.

Ticket types include individual tickets or tables of 10, with early bird pricing available until October 31, 2025.

The event also acknowledges that attending this gathering means moving through Treaty 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 territories, and unceded lands of the Anishinaabeg, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, Nehethowuk, and Métis.

Organizer: Featherstone Group / Driving While Indigenous

Event: National Gathering for Indigenous Education​

Date: November 19–21, 2025​

Location: RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba​

Details: Hosted by Indspire, the National Gathering for Indigenous Education is a premier annual conference that brings together educators and partners dedicated to improving educational outcomes for K-12 Indigenous students. The 2025 conference will feature keynote speakers, workshops, and a student panel discussion where Indigenous students share their post-secondary experiences. The event offers both in-person and virtual attendance options, providing flexibility for participants across the country

Ontario

Quebec

Event: Rendez-Vous des Artisans et Artistes de Wendake (RVA Âwendake)

Date & Time: Friday–Sunday, November 21–23, 2025.

Location: Complexe sportif Desjardins — 100, rue Grand-Chef-Thonnakona, Wendake, QC.

Details:
An annual gathering that showcases First Nations arts and culture through live performances (singing, dancing, drums), artisan demonstrations (beadwork, talking-stick making, traditional techniques), and talks on First Nations history and culture. The event’s mission is to provide a prominent platform for Québec’s First Nations and foster deeper understanding through intercultural dialogue. Free admission.

Newfoundland & Labrador

New Brunswick

Prince Edward Island

Event: Indigenous Artisans Christmas Market

Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 2025 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI+1

Location: Confederation Centre of the Arts, 145 Richmond St, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI+1

Details:
This free, family-friendly market, part of the Charlottetown Christmas Festival, showcases the creativity and culture of over 50 Indigenous artisans from across Epekwitk (PEI). Attendees can browse handcrafted goods such as beaded jewelry, paintings, quillwork, handwoven baskets, ribbon skirts, holiday decorations, and more. The market also offers the opportunity to meet the artisans, hear the stories behind their craft, and engage in cultural exchange. Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI

The event is supported by the Government of Canada’s Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Innovation PEI, the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI, and Discover Charlottetown. Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI

Nova Scotia

Yukon

Northwest Territories

Event: Yellowknife International Film Festival (YKIFF) — Presented by WAMP

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 5 – Sunday, November 9, 2025
(Screenings and workshops scheduled daily; full program release TBA)
wamp.ca

Location: Capitol Theatre & Aurora Fiddle Society Hall, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Details:
Hosted by Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP), the Yellowknife International Film Festival celebrates northern, Indigenous, and independent filmmaking through screenings, industry panels, workshops, and networking events. The festival showcases stories from across the circumpolar world, highlighting Indigenous creators and community-rooted narratives that reflect the North’s resilience, humour, and land-based connections.

The 2025 program will feature:

  • Screenings of short and feature-length Indigenous and northern films

  • The 48-Hour Music Video Competition showcase and awards night

  • Live Q&A sessions with filmmakers and special guests

  • Media arts workshops and youth mentorship sessions

  • Closing Gala and Audience Choice Awards

YKIFF continues to grow as one of Canada’s most northern film festivals, offering a platform where art, activism, and Indigenous storytelling meet under the northern lights.

Organizer: Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP) — a Yellowknife-based non-profit supporting northern and Indigenous media artists through film, video, and digital storytelling initiatives.

Event: Still Dark Festival — Yellowknife, NWT

Date & Time: Thursday, February 5 – Sunday, February 8, 2026

Location: Downtown Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Details:
The Still Dark Festival is a celebration of music, art, and community in the winter months, turning the long northern darkness into an opportunity for creativity and connection.

Features include:

  • Multiple concerts & performances across downtown venues

  • Interactive art installations and light displays

  • Workshops and community-driven events

  • “It’s Getting Dark” bowling dance party fundraiser (Oct 4) to support the festival

Organizer / Acknowledgement:
Still Dark is held on the traditional lands of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the North Slave Métis, and Tłı̨chǫ lands.

Nunavut

Event: Inuvik Sunrise Festival

Date & Time: Friday, January 9 – Sunday, January 11, 2026

Location: Inuvik, Northwest Territories — various community venues including Chief Jim Koe Park and the Midnight Sun Complex

Details:
The Inuvik Sunrise Festival marks the return of the sun after nearly 30 days of darkness in Canada’s western Arctic. This three-day celebration brings together northern and Indigenous cultures through music, storytelling, food, and community spirit.

Festival highlights include:

  • Opening bonfire and fireworks at Chief Jim Koe Park

  • Traditional drumming and dancing by Gwich’in and Inuvialuit performers

  • Local Indigenous craft market and food vendors

  • Snow & ice village attractions, family games, and snow yoga sessions

  • Light installations, storytelling tents, and outdoor concerts

  • A spectacular Saturday-night fireworks show honouring the sun’s return

The Sunrise Festival is one of the North’s most unique winter celebrations — a symbol of resilience, renewal, and community connection under the northern lights.

Organizer: Town of Inuvik — in collaboration with Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich’in Tribal Council, and local artists.

Event: Toonik Tyme Festival

Date & Time: TBD

Location: Iqaluit, Nunavut — various venues across the city Details:
The Toonik Tyme Festival is an annual celebration marking the return of spring in the Arctic and honoring Inuit culture. Since 1965, this festival has offered local and visiting participants opportunities to engage with Inuit traditions, games, arts, and community events.

Festival activities typically include:

  • Throat singing, Inuit games, traditional dance, and drumming

  • Dog sled races, snowmobile races, igloo building, scavenger hunts

  • Craft fairs, workshops, tours, bannock & community feasts

  • Opening ceremonies with honours (the “Honorary Toonik”) and multilingual expressions (English, French, Inuktitut) The festival is volunteer-run by 123Go! and local community organizers, with over 100 volunteers supporting the programming.

Norway

Event: Riddu Riđđu Festival

Date & Time: Wednesday, July 8 – Sunday, July 12, 2026 riddu.no+1

Location: Olmmáivággi / Manndalen, Kåfjord Municipality, Troms, Northern Norway, Sápmi riddu.no+2riddu.no+2

Details:
Riddu Riđđu (meaning “little storm on the coast” in Sámi) is an international Indigenous festival held annually in northern Norway with a strong focus on Sámi and Indigenous cultures. riddu.no+2Sinchi Foundation+2 The festival offers a broad, family-friendly program including: