Turtle Island Festival; Photo: Kateland
The largest Indigenous and BIPOC festival in North America (Turtle Island) is returning this summer.
Since it launched in 2021, Turtle Island Festival has brought together Indigenous and BIPOC artists and cultivated vibrant community through music. Over 4,000 people attended last year, evidencing the success of this ground-breaking and inspirational event. Formerly called Circles Festival, the event name changed this year to Turtle Island Festival to make it more inclusive of diverse Indigenous peoples all across the continent.
Presented by Decolonial Clothing and Land Back Records, Turtle Island Festival takes place August 24, 2024, at Sunset Beach from 1pm to 10pm. Dakota Bear, Co-Founder of Decolonial Clothing and Land Back Records, says, “Turtle Island Music Festival is a platform we’ve built to amplify Indigenous voices, to celebrate our culture, and come together in unification with our creativity to uplift and empower the next generations through music and community.” The event also is about championing the Indigenous economy by providing a venue for established and up-and-coming makers and brands.
Turtle Island Festival; Photo: Kateland
This FREE festival is ideal for everyone in the family, who will enjoy the exciting line-up of incredible live performances that will take place following the Opening Ceremony by Audrey Siegal. Artists include Logan Staats, a Juno-nominated “Mohawk rocker turned folk and soul musician”; Talilo Marfil, a West Bisayan, Filipino-American hip hop artist; Saskatchewan’s Rebecca Strong, winner of Canada’s Got Talent; Kimmortal, a queer Filipino-Canadian singer, poet, and visual artist; Quanah Style, a two-spirit Cree performer/artist; and Natasha Fisher, a Ashinaabe/Finn artist from Ontario.
In addition to musical entertainment, Turtle Island Festival will feature a fashion show, dance, drumming, as well as a vendor village with Indigenous artisans and makers selling specialty goods, such as jewelry, apparel, food items, and wellness products (e.g., skincare).
Turtle Island Festival; Photo: Kateland
Be prepared to eat well as there will be a community feast by Bannock Busters and Sundance & Sons, as well as food vendors serving traditional Indigenous dishes.
A huge motivation behind Turtle Island Festival is about raising up and giving visibility to Indigenous young people. As a result, youth workshops by Nations Skate Youth (with a skate ramp) and Land Back Healing Society, as well as a Youth Showcase will take place. There will also be a children’s play area with activities to entertain young attendees, as well as elder and VIP activations.
Turtle Island Festival; Photo: Kateland
Turtle Island Festival also features two other components. The first is an Indigenous Law Conference (August 23, downtown location TBA), with expert speakers, and the second is an After Party (August 24, 10pm to 2am, Biltmore Cabaret, $25+ fees) with DJs, live music, and mocktails. Tickets are available here.
Overall, Turtle Island Festival promises to be an incredible event—packed with music, arts, and culture that will bring all people together at a beautiful Vancouver location.
A VIP Package is available ($81.21 including processing fee) and comes with tons of bonuses (e.g., a meet and greet with headliner artists, free food and drink, swag bags, festival merchandise, private entrances and areas). Proceeds from these limited VIP tickets go to Land Back Healing Society’s Youth Music Program, RISE.
See here for more information on Turtle Island Festival. You can reserve your FREE general admission tickets here.
Other Summer Events for Supporting Indigenous Artists
Photo: Come Toward the Fire
There are numerous ways to support Indigenous artists and artisans this summer. The Museum of North Vancouver (MONOVA) is holding an Indigenous Artisan Market on August 9 (2pm to 4:45pm) and 10 (11am to 4:45pm). The market will spotlight the work of contemporary Coast Salish artists in a variety of mediums, such as carving, weaving, and beading. Entry to the market is free (regular admission to MONOVA).
The PNE Fair Indigenous Festival will take place August 30 and 31 outside Rollerland. The Festival will include live demos by Indigenous youth carvers, presented by the Canoe Cultures Society. Other demos will include salmon-drying as well as traditional arts and crafts.
Come Toward the Fire is back September 14, 2024, from noon to 7pm at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. This exciting Indigenous-led festival is multifaceted, with live performances (e.g., Fawn Wood, Digawolf), film screenings, food vendors, and an artisan market. Stay tuned for further info here.