The drumbeat begins at noon, steady and strong, as Bradley Dick—Yuxwelupton Qwal’ qaxala—steps onto the stage of the Alix Goolden Performance Hall, welcoming everyone to a celebration rooted in resilience, creativity, and community. On National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Victoria Conservatory of Music transforms into a vibrant gathering space where ancestral songs rise, feet fly in Métis jigging, and youth take the mic in a beat and lyric cypher—all on the traditional territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt, W̱SÁNEĆ, and Beecher Bay Nations.
This free, public celebration is more than a festival; it’s a living affirmation of Indigenous presence, culture, and intergenerational strength. Held at 900 Johnson Street, the event invites all to witness and participate in traditions that have endured and evolved. Donations collected at the door go directly to support local Indigenous organizations, reinforcing the day’s spirit of reciprocity.
Workshops throughout the afternoon offer deep engagement: from 12:30 PM, artist and knowledge keeper Francis Dick leads the Anthem Ancestral Song session, sharing a musical lineage that traces back to the Musqamakw Dzawadaenutw Band of Kingcome Inlet. A descendant of the supernatural Wolf, Kawadelekala, Francis has exhibited her art from Berlin to Beijing and now passes on song as both cultural practice and sacred inheritance. Meanwhile, in Wood Hall, Nikky Ermineskin—nêhiyaw mother, audio engineer, and recording artist—guides a collaborative beat and lyric cypher, empowering youth to weave their stories into rhythm and rhyme. A veteran of over 22 years in media and music, Nikky’s work centers on helping young Indigenous people reclaim their voices.
At 1:45 PM, the Joyful Jiggers—Abigail Porttris and Piper Bresser—take over with high-energy Métis jigging, teaching both basic and fancy steps. These two dancers, who’ve been performing since age four, radiate joy as they share one of the most dynamic expressions of Métis culture. Later, at 3:00 PM, the day culminates in a Show & Share, featuring music videos created by students from Craigflower Elementary and the ȽÁU, WELNEW Tribal School—proof that the next generation is already creating, leading, and belonging.
Bradley Dick, whose carvings stand at City Hall and the Songhees Wellness Centre, sees this day as both celebration and continuation. With artworks spanning New Zealand to Sweden, he remains grounded in family, culture, and community. As the afternoon light filters through the hall, it’s clear this event isn’t just about honoring the past—it’s about building a future where Indigenous voices lead, teach, and inspire.