First Peoples' Cultural Council

06/19/2026

Sunday, June 21 is Father’s Day!

We’re celebrating fathers, grandfathers and all those who take on the role of dads. 👏🏾❤️

How do you say “Dad” in your language?

📲 Discover your First Nations language by using FirstVoices.com

06/17/2026

In honour of National Indigenous History Month we are sharing a story about repatriation and the vital work that’s being done between museums and First Nations in B.C.

In 2023, FPCC delivered one-time funding to support 16 B.C. First Nations' repatriation efforts.

One of these included the repatriation of over 60 Ancestral belongings that were returned from the Museum of Vancouver to the Tsilhqot'in National Government (TNG).

This included the return of 29 qatŝ’ay—decorative coiled root baskets, an iconic Tŝilhqot’in art form. 🧺

“These vessels hold the spirit, you know, from all these people, our Ancestors from 100 to 200 years ago, that have woven their life into these baskets. Their stories, their dreams, their dadaben (their medicine) into these baskets,” says Dakota Diablo. 🪶

TNG documented this historical moment in the film Qatŝ’ay: Bringing our spirits back home. Watch the video by visiting our stories page. https://fpcc.ca/stories/community-celebrates-repatriation-of-ancestral-baskets/

More funding is needed for repatriation projects like this one. Show your support for repatriation by sharing this story with your community.

06/11/2026

National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) is just around the corner. ✨

If you’re looking to celebrate, we’ve gathered a list of free events happening around the province:

Rotary Park, Cranbrook

Enjoy drumming, dancing, beading, pine needle weaving, traditional games and more! More info here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1414255254079817&set=a.468140798691272

📆 June 17, 2026

⏰ 12pm-5pm

2. Royal Roads University, Victoria

A large regional gathering featuring cultural performances, food, games and community activities. More info: https://www.royalroads.ca/NIPD

📆 Date: June 19, 2026

⏰ Time: 10am-3pm

Civic Square, Burnaby

A family‑friendly celebration with live music, dance, storytelling, artisans and Indigenous games. More info here: https://www.burnaby.ca/recreation-and-arts/events/national-indigenous-peoples-day

📆 Date: June 20, 2026

⏰ Time: 1pm–5pm

Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, Courtenay

A full-day cultural festival with music, vendors, Elder and youth activities and guided cultural walks. More info here: https://komoks.ca/nipd-2026

📆 Date: June 20, 2026

⏰ Time: 2pm

5. Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, Prince George

A large First Nations–hosted NIPD celebration with drummers, dancers, artisans, food and family activities. More info can be found here: https://www.lheidli.ca/nipd2026/

📆 Date: June 21, 2026

⏰ Time: 10am–5pm

Shuswap Band Health Centre, Invermere

Immerse yourself in a celebration with traditional games/ presentation, medicinal plant/ tea station, Shuswap department info tents, Indigenous merchants market, BBQ by donation and door prizes! More info here:https://www.rdek.bc.ca/images/uploads/NIPD-_2026_Shuswap.pdf

📆 Date: June 21, 2026

⏰ Time: 11am–2pm

06/10/2026

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. 🪶

The goal is to raise awareness about the critical status of many Indigenous languages and to engage interest holders and gather resources for language revitalization.

The Decade campaign encourages Indigenous peoples to share their ideas and experiences, helping to develop and strengthen effective solutions.

Your knowledge and insights are an essential part of this global effort. Share your voice by answering the below question.

How has your language shaped your identity, community or worldview? Write in the comments with .

Learn more about the Decade of Indigenous Languages by visiting, fpcc.ca/stories/the-decade-of-indigenous-languages

06/09/2026

Aidan Thorne is a Cowichan artist from Victoria, B.C., who performs on a Coast Salish guitar he carved and painted with support from FPCC’s Arts Strengthening - One-on-One Mentorship Program and guidance from master carver, Xwalacktun (Rick Harry).

Xwalacktun’ a Squamish and Kwakwaka'wakw sculptor, has helped bring Coast Salish art onto the world stage for over 50 years.

“Having Xwalacktun’s mentorship meant learning how to use my tools and embrace the Coast Salish form. But he also always encouraged me to find my own style and develop my voice. When I'm too concerned about doing something wrong, he has told me on multiple occasions, ‘That's ok, you gotta have your style’,” says Aidan. 🪶

Aidan is using his hand-carved instruments to record music for his first solo LP with the help of an FPCC Music - Creation and Sharing grant. His upcoming album is scheduled for release on June 21, 2026.

📖 Read the full story here: https://fpcc.ca/stories/fpcc-arts-program-supports-musician-carving-his-own-path/

FPCC’s Arts Program supports B.C. First Nations artists, communities and organizations in the creation, development, production and promotion of all forms of creative expressions.

👉🏾 Learn more about our funding opportunities by visiting fpcc.ca/arts

06/01/2026

Our friends at BC Arts Council have recently opened their individual Arts Grants for Media Artists!

This program assists independent media artists with the creation of moving images, audio/sound art or new media and digital arts projects.

⏰ Deadline is June 24, 2026
💸 Funding up to $25,000

👉🏾 Interested? Visit https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/program/media-artists?fbclid=IwY2xjawSCmH9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE5NVJPSXZpbVZoTlcwM21Dc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiLjZkU9cFUbgfkahOJmb3SCOwnEaW_skheZhy3Stm7JGCT0s6X0g-KD2egk_aem_5Edbih6M0E_4cPH2M8XjOA for more information.

We are now accepting applications for Individual Arts Grants: Media Artists! This program assists independent media artists with the creation of moving images, audio/sound art or new media and digital arts projects. Please note this program does not support projects intended for creative industries (film intended for commercial distribution, television programming, or streaming services; video games, etc.) or screenwriting activities.

Applications accepted until June 24, 2026.

Learn more about the program on our website: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/program/media-artists

05/28/2026

The Heritage Toolkit 📚 is a collection of resources for Indigenous communities, Nations and organizations interested in learning about Indigenous Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the types of work involved in protecting, revitalizing and celebrating it.

Perfect for B.C. First Nations individuals and communities planning and implementing cultural heritage programs.

The toolkit includes:
🌿Instructions, templates and examples
🌿Resources around policy, best practices and more
🌿Guidelines for planning and implementing projects

And more!

👉🏾 Access the digital toolkit at: https://fpcc.pulse.ly/ybmealfuad

🚨 Reminder! Applications for the Cultural Practices Grant are due June 2, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT. Submit your application by visiting https://fpcc.ca/program/cultural-practices-grant/

05/27/2026

Rising Stars Comedy Lab ⭐️

Interested in learning how to write comedy for TV? A new 6-month comedy lab program for Indigenous writers is now open.

This comedy lab, from Misko Way Productions, is designed for emerging Indigenous comedy writers ready to develop their voice, build skills and gain experience in a professional writers room.

🎥 Watch the CTV News interview here for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOjo0JwJzCQ

👉🏾 Apply here: https://miskoway.com/risingstars/
⏰ Deadline is May 30, 2026

Debbie Courchene of Misko Way Productions discusses a new mentorship program for emerging Indigenous comedy writers.**Subscribe to CTV News to watch more vid...

05/26/2026

Congratulations on successfully completing your cedar baskets and mentorship classes — what an achievement!

We raise our hands and say “G̱ilakas'la!” to Donna Cranmer and Anthony Hunt and everyone involved 🤲🏾

At FPCC, we are honoured to have supported this project with our Arts Strengthening - Mentorship program. FPCC’s Arts Program supports B.C. First Nations with grants for workshops and programs.

📫 Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to Arts Program launch dates https://fpcc.ca/signup/ or visit http://fpcc.ca/arts for more details.