Indigenous Peoples Weekend has been made possible by artists, Knowledge Keepers, community partners, donors, volunteers, and past public funders.
Indigenous Peoples Weekend 2026 is made possible by the support of these funders. We hold their investment in Indigenous arts, culture, and reconciliation with deep gratitude.
Fonds du Canada pour la présentation des arts · Department of Canadian Heritage.
Arts & Culture Support Service.
Indigenous Priorities Fund.
Supporting Papaashi Bufloo, the Michif-language children's book.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund.
Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada par l’entremise du Fonds du Canada pour la présentation des arts.
Home to more than 450 Indigenous residents — including rights holders and community members from across Turtle Island and Hawaiʻi — Salt Spring Island is a vibrant gathering place. The festival draws performers and audiences from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, and through our partnership with Tour des Îles, its impact is felt across Mayne, Pender, and Saturna Islands.
Supporting this event offers your organization a powerful opportunity to invest in Indigenous community, culture, and visibility, while demonstrating a meaningful and actionable commitment to reconciliation.
Sweetgrass extends heartfelt thanks to the Penelakut Tribe for generously donating the fish for the Elders' feast.
Sweetgrass also gratefully acknowledges Métis Nation British Columbia for its support of Papaashi Bufloo, the Michif-language children's book.
We would be happy to discuss sponsorship and partnership options with you. Please contact Kaen Valoise, IPW Director, at indigenouspeoplesweekend@gmail.com to arrange a call or meeting.
Sweetgrass Arts & Music Society would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kelly Armstrong and the Harbour House Hotel for their generous support of our Elders during Indigenous Peoples Weekend.
By helping provide nourishing meals and hospitality, Kelly and the Harbour House team are honouring the important role that Elders play in preserving culture, language, and community. Their kindness and commitment to giving back helps make this gathering more welcoming and meaningful for everyone.
Hiy hiy, maarsii, and thank you, Kelly, for standing with us and helping us care for our Elders. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
Indigenous Peoples Weekend is carried by the Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, vendors, performers, and volunteers who share their gifts with our community. We hold every contribution with gratitude. Hiy hiy, maarsii, and thank you.
With gratitude, too, to the Métis, Hawaiian, and Cree Knowledge Keepers who shared their teachings throughout the weekend.
With thanks to Jill Harris (Penelakut), who coordinated bringing Penelakut community members to the gathering.
Thank you to the Salt Spring United Church for welcoming vendors during Indigenous Peoples Weekend 2026.
Coast Salish Artist Visit and Pop-Up Sale.
Thank you to Kelly Armstrong at Harbour House for featuring Red Dress for Aunty Tini by Sherry Leigh Williams.
With heartfelt thanks to the Sweet and Salty Ukulele Choir and Kai Tocher for the gift of ukuleles to our youth.
Special thanks to the Roland and Sampson families, Ken and Nadine Thomas, Kurt Irwin, and the Akerman family.
Our thanks to David Norget for his generous support, and to Earl Claxton Jr. (W̱SÁNEĆ), whose guidance after IPW 2025 helped shape this year's ceremonial programming. To everyone who gave so freely of their time, talent, and heart, thank you. And if we have missed anyone, we want you to know that your presence was deeply appreciated.
Beyond institutional support, IPW is held up by individuals who give what they can. Some give time, some give money, some give space in their home for visiting artists. Every contribution matters and is held with care. Become a supporter.
We are a volunteer-run organization and rely on community support to make this event possible. This year we are offering even more than ever before — and as such, we need more support than ever before. If you would like to invest in Indigenous community, culture, and visibility, while demonstrating a meaningful and actionable commitment to reconciliation, please consider donating. No amount is too small. Every dollar helps.
Indigenous Peoples Weekend is not able to issue tax receipts directly, but you can still support us with a donation of any size by e-transfer to sweetgrassartsandmusic@gmail.com.
If you would like a charitable tax receipt, donations can be directed through our fiscal partner, the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust, by e-transfer to ipw@farmlandtrust.org.
Volunteering is a great way to show your support and be part of this gathering. We need volunteers for a range of jobs, including greeting guests and wayfinding, helping with set up or tear down, collecting donations, and driving guests. There are many ways to get involved.
Please complete this volunteer application and we will follow up with you about where your time and skills can best be used.
We know people will be hungry at our event — would you like to feed them? We are looking for food providers for June 19–21 at the Farmers' Institute. That could look like a bake sale, setting up a BBQ making smokies and/or burgers (FoodSafe required), or bringing a food truck.
Have an idea? Let's talk. Please get in touch at indigenouspeoplesweekend@gmail.com and we will follow up with you.
Once again, we will be inviting performers and Knowledge Keepers from across BC — and depending on funding, perhaps further. We are always grateful for Salt Spring Islanders' generosity in offering space for our visiting guests.
If you are able to host a guest or family, please contact Kaen Valoise, IPW Director, at indigenouspeoplesweekend@gmail.com. Let us know if you are also able to provide meals and transportation, as some guests may need those as well. This is a meaningful way to get involved and to get to know our Indigenous relations.
The following organizations supported IPW or related Sweetgrass programming in 2025. This does not imply confirmed funding or partnership for IPW 2026.
Supporter of Indigenous-led community work in BC.
Arts & Culture Support Service.
Salt Spring Island.
Indigenous Priorities Fund.
Our 2026 sponsors are named with gratitude in the Sponsors & Partners section above. Additional donors and community contributors will be added here as further gifts are confirmed.
With heartfelt thanks to our angel donors, whose generosity helps make Indigenous Peoples Weekend possible.
These venues have hosted IPW programming in past years. Confirmed venues for IPW 2026 will be announced as agreements are finalized.
Main home base for IPW 2026 weekend programming.
Story time, book launches, and Knowledge Keeper talks.
Workshops and artist demonstrations.
Music programming.
Friday evening music.
Inter-island event venue.
Performance space.
The IPW logo, an orca pod, was created by Indigenous artist Charlene Johnny. The colour treatment changes each year. We are honoured to carry her work forward.
The photographs across this site are by Christopher Roy, Wildlight Creative, Safiya Labelle, Christina Marshall, Pam Tarr, Hannah Spray, Laura Mulks Elworthy, and other community contributors. All rights remain with the photographers.
If your organization or foundation would like to support IPW 2026 or future years, we would be glad to talk. Sweetgrass works transparently and reports back to every funder.
For individual donations: charitable donations to IPW can be directed through Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust, our fiscal partner for charitable giving.
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.
