Indigenous Content and Programming: School Fieldtrip 

We are committed to facilitating the sharing of Indigenous voices and culture with Metro Vancouver school groups by creating opportunities for engagement, education and understanding through the celebration of Indigenous art, music, dance, ceremony and storytelling. 

The Vancouver International Children’s Festival offers Indigenous performances and interactive arts activities. If you’re a teacher looking for an Indigenous learning experience for your students, a field trip to see an Indigenous performance at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival is a great way to enhance student engagement and inspire learning. Add Indigenous content to your instruction or supplement Indigenous education and learning outside of the classroom with a memorable field trip to the Children’s Festival. Our quality and highly recommended shows have been expertly reviewed and connected to the BC Curriculum across all appropriate grade levels, including ‘Big Ideas’, “Curricular Competencies” and “Content”.

Indigenous Performance programming for 2024

Nimihitowin! (Wild Mint Arts, AB) Dance | Music

Powwow dance, hoop dance and Métis jigging are beautiful expressions of Indigenous Peoples’ rich history and culture. Nimihitowin! will mesmerize audiences with dramatic dancing, spectacular regalia and the subtle beauty of flute songs. 

The dancers in Wild Mint Arts are Cree, Anishinaabe, Blackfoot, and Metis. The all-Indigenous crew works closely with elders from Stoney and Blackfoot first nations.

Curriculum Connections:

Kindergarten | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 

Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coast Wolf Pack) Salish Songs and Stories 
(BC) Dance | Music

Multigenerational performers give audiences a sense of belonging to the hereditary lands of the Coast Salish people.

Just as wolves travel in packs and work together to flourish in life, our group runs with one heart and one mind. Teaching our children the songs, dances, and stories will keep our traditions alive for generations to come. Come see us perform traditional Salish song and dance at this year’s Festival. 

The members of the group with pride represent the following Coast Salish communities: Musqueam, Squamish, Tsartlip, Nanaimo and more. 

Curriculum Connections:

Kindergarten | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 

Indigenous Arts in the Activity village

Your show ticket includes access to our Activity Village, with over 10 hands-on creative art stations including our interactive Indigenous Arts activity. 

Indigenous Arts 

Join Indigenous artist Christine Mackenzie as she leads a workshop to create Indigenous art with your students. During Christine’s workshops, she breaks down the steps of creating an art piece, shares her culture, art and protocols, shares meaningfully art work or traditional items, such as traditional musical items, animal hides, and Regalia. Her workshops are suitable for all ages. Christine has worked with many school districts and youth/family organizations all across the Lower Mainland. 

Christine Mackenzie, from the Kwakiutl Nation, is a Facilitator and Artist who was born in Kelowna, BC. She finds inspiration in the natural world and in the eyes of people willing to learn and share cultural ideas. 

Curriculum Connections: 

Kindergarten | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7

Indigenous Education

We can’t wait to delight, enchant and engage your students with our Indigenous performances from local and national artists including live Q&A’s. After attending the field trip, we encourage you to continue learning in the classroom and to use the experience as a starting point for deeper discussions and explorations of Indigenous culture. 

School field trip tickets are on sale now. Start planning your field trip with us today. We’re here to help, please visit our School Group Ticket Page or call us at 604–708-5655 for more information or to book a show.