Indigenous Event Programmer

Call for Artists / Title:

Indigenous Event Programmer

Organization:

City of Burnaby

Deadline:

Feb. 27, 2026

Website:

http://www.burnaby.ca/recreation-and-arts/events/national-indigenous-peoples-day

Call for Artists Description:

SEEKING INDIGENOUS EVENT PROGRAMMER FOR NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY CELEBRATIONS

The City of Burnaby is located on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Peoples and we are seeking an Indigenous Event Programmer to support the planning of Burnaby’s annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration taking place on June 20, 2026. The City’s 2026 event will take place the day prior to National Indigenous Peoples Day out of respect for the wishes of participants from the Host Nations and greater Indigenous community, and to better accommodate their participation. The City of Burnaby has a strong commitment to continuing reconciliation with the Host Nations on whose territories Burnaby is located, as well as Indigenous people living in and around Burnaby, and to demonstrating that commitment on National Indigenous Peoples Day and year-round.

Project Summary

• The City has hosted a National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration since 2017. Previous celebrations have included cultural sharing of music and dance, spoken word, storytelling, Indigenous food trucks, as well as free bannock, and an Indigenous vendor market.

• The City’s goal is to increase overall participation and engagement in the celebration in a meaningful way.

• It is important to the City and the event planning team to work with someone who has strong connections to the Host Nations and the Indigenous community in and around Burnaby to help inform the celebration in a culturally safe and respectful way.

We are looking for an Indigenous Event Programmer who has connections with the Host Nations: xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) as well as with Indigenous people who live in and around Burnaby. In particular, someone who has knowledge of and has worked with Indigenous knowledge holders, performing artists, and artisans.

The Programmer will be paid $10,000 to support the planning and production team with coordinating the celebration, including, but not limited to connecting with knowledge holders, artists, artisans and other vendors, attending planning meetings, scheduling, day-of run of show, and post-event debrief. The Programmer will ideally be available to start as soon as they are selected for the role in March 2026 to begin working with City staff to plan the event.

Scope of Work
The City is seeking an Indigenous Event Programmer to guide the planning for National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations scheduled for June 20, 2026, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, at Civic Square (adjacent to the Bob Prittie Metrotown Library) at 6100 Willingdon Ave. This work will be done in collaboration with Burnaby staff from the Parks, Recreation and Culture department and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation division. We are seeking a Programmer who can deliver on the following scope of work in support of the event and in collaboration with City staff:

• Curating and Programming Main Stage Entertainment

  • 5-6 performances or cultural sharing opportunities that include dance, spoken word and contemporary music

  • Coordination of the stage schedule.

  • Recruiting a host/MC to facilitate the program, including introductions and announcements, and providing event/celebration context throughout the day

  • Drafting a script for the MC

  • Facilitating relationships between the performers, knowledge holders, and City staff for performance, artist and cultural needs

• Curating an Indigenous Marketplace

  • 20+ vendors offering a variety of products and/or artwork
    Note: Tents, tables, chairs and other infrastructure will be provided to the vendors at no cost

• Establish Community Participation Opportunities

  • Organizations serving the Indigenous population in Burnaby and/or Host Nations
    Note: Tents, tables, chairs and other infrastructure for these groups or Host Nations will be provided at no cost

  • Opportunities exist for both informational booths and activities, depending on the groups engaged or Host Nation interested

  • Note: The City of Burnaby has some existing relationships with community partners, Host Nations, and other organizations who are planning to return in 2026

• Recommendations and introductions to Food Vendors

  • Seeking 1-2 Indigenous food vendors (preference for licensed food trucks, but support with licensing is available)

  • Securing a supplier for bannock to be distributed for free to all attendees throughout the day

• Collaboration on Marketing and Promotion

  • Assist City staff in the development of a press release, social media content, and other marketing elements, as required

  • Assist in facilitating collection of marketing material, including bios and images from performers, vendors and community groups for use in marketing

  • Potential media interviews pending the comfort level of the individual

  • Note: Existing graphics commissioned for event from Cole Sparrow-Crawford and Austin Harry form the visual identity of the event.

• Attendance at event planning meetings

  • Monthly meetings via MS Teams, potential for greater frequency as event date approaches
    o An in-person introductory meeting will be scheduled to connect the programmer with the City staff committee
    o Meetings with event liaisons via MS Teams to provide updates

• Contribution to event safety planning

  • Recommendations to ensure cultural safety for participants and guests to be implemented by City staff and/or contractors

• Assisting with training of City of Burnaby volunteers who will be supporting the event activities

• Day-of Event Support

  • Attendance at the event to support the performers, artists, artisans, and other partners/participants

• Wrap-up and Documentation

  • Participation in post-event de-brief meeting

  • Contribution to wrap-up report
    

Excluded from the scope of work are the following:

• Performer and vendor contracting

• Site Management and design

  • City of Burnaby staff and contractors will ensure that appropriate equipment is installed on site

• Volunteer management

• Burnaby Village Museum event contributions

How to Apply:

To submit an application, please send a letter of interest outlining the following and include a proposed vision for the event to celebrate@burnaby.ca by February 27, 2026 with the following:

• Introduce yourself and your related qualifications and experience, including your connection to an Indigenous community and a description of why you are interested in this opportunity.

• Describe your experience working with and/or liaising with the Host Nations on whose territories the City of Burnaby is now located, Indigenous people living in and around Burnaby, and other relevant external contacts and relationships

• Describe your experience planning events and/or learning opportunities for the public related to Indigenous Peoples (artistic, cultural, and other related programing)
  Other material or information that you would consider important to describe or demonstrate your qualifications, experience and fit with the Indigenous Event Programmer role

• Do you self-identify as an Indigenous person (First Nation, Inuk/Inuit, or Métis)? If yes, please share your relationship to Indigeneity?

• Please provide a proposed vision for the event, including:

  • A draft stage schedule outlining the types of performances or sharing opportunities planned (e.g., music, dance, literary, cultural, or community-based);

  • A description of family-friendly activities to be offered;

  • Any community partners you intend to involve, including the names of the organizations and a brief description of their role; and

  • Your vision for the artisan market, including the type of vendors, overall atmosphere, and how it will complement the event programming.

Please attach a copy of your proposal to the letter of interest.

Deadline: Feb. 27, 2026 at midnight (Pacific Standard Time)
Email proposal to: celebrate@burnaby.ca
Subject line: Indigenous Event Programmer NIPD 2026

Remuneration:

The selected individual will be paid $10,000 to support the planning and production team in connecting with artists, vendors and planning other elements of the event. The fee shall be paid in four (4) equal installments of twenty-five percent (25%) each, payable as follows:

1. First installment (25%) upon completion of contracting and first meeting with Indigenous Relations and Events teams (March).
2. Second installment (25%) upon securing booking of performers and musicians (April).
3. Third installment (25%) upon obtaining all press release packages from performers and musicians (May).
4. Final installment (25%) upon completion of the project (June).