A Fraser River stretch between Richmond and Vancouver will be the most action-packed waterway in the region this month when the fifth annual Chief Ernie Campbell Memorial Musqueam Canoe Races hits the waves. From June 13 to June 15, the thrilling and culturally vibrant event will see hundreds of participants from Indigenous communities across BC and beyond competing in dozens of adrenalin-fueled contests––and everyone is invited to come and watch.

“The races are very fast-paced and exciting and we welcome spectators to come and see them,” says Lorna Campbell-Stewart, treasurer and spokesperson for the Musqueam Indian Band’s Celtic Sunset Canoe Club, which is hosting the event. The races take place on a 5km course between Richmond’s Iona Island and the river’s Vancouver side, with spectators gathering to watch on the beach behind the Musqueam Cultural Centre.

“In each race, the teams wait side-by-side in their cedar war canoes,” explains Campbell-Stewart. “Then they start really fast before getting into the rhythm of their strokes and pulling together as one. Every team has a different technique but they’re all trying to win—and after they make the turn around the 3km mark, there’s always a sprint to the finish. That’s when the cheering on the beach is at its loudest!”

RICH HERITAGE

Transforming several centuries ago from a competition for the best fishing spots into a celebratory sport and social gathering, war canoe racing has a long and important history to Indigenous communities. Even today, the canoes are handmade from cedar, either dug out from a single tree or constructed from cedar strips. And since each team in the June event brings canoes from their own communities, seeing all the different vessels up-close is a huge highlight.

The annual event is named after much-loved Musqueam Chief Ernest Campbell, who passed away in 2013 but who left a strong and enduring legacy. “This is a celebration to honour the memory of everything he did for us, especially in relation to canoe racing,” says Campbell-Stewart. “He co-built our canoes and managed our canoe club and he also had a real sense of what the kids in our community need—he was our skipper.”

TEAMS AND DIVISIONS

The Sunset Canoe Club’s own vessels––including Endeavour and Celtic Sunset––will be in action throughout the event. There will also be around 50 other clubs taking part, with teams from the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and even the US expected to participate this year. The race program is divided into men, women and youth categories, with 11-person and six-person subdivisions. There are even races for kids as young as four––“We call them the Littles,” says Campbell-Stewart.

“Friday is when the youth and child races take place and Saturday is when we have the adult races––Sunday is the championship day,” she adds, noting that while winning teams receive prize payouts, the event has a far deeper significance to those who participate. “This is a very emotional and deeply felt gathering with a lot of healing. It’s a traditional sporting event but it’s also extremely meaningful to our community––especially to our youth.”

OPEN INVITATION

Campbell-Stewart says that although the Musqueam race series has been running for several years and attracts lots of spectators, there are still many Lower Mainlanders who have yet to experience it. This year, the organizers are aiming to spread the word even further, encouraging returning visitors as well as first-timers to drop by for what promises to be a festival-like weekend of exciting and inspiring competition.

Event poster for 2025 Musqueam Canoe Races.
Don’t miss the races. PHOTO CREDIT: Musqueam Indian Band.

And while the electrifying races are the main attraction, there will also be some vendors onsite throughout the weekend. Keep your appetite primed for a specialty coffee stand, the canoe club’s own concession stand and a popular food truck from Vancouver Island that’s famous for its delicious bannock. And save time for the craft vendors as well; they’ll be selling jewellery, blankets and more.

Campbell-Stewart adds that the community is really looking forward to its 2025 event. And they can’t wait to welcome visitors to this traditional and culturally vital Indigenous happening. “These races enable us to show visitors our sense of pride, healing and respect for each other. And they also show that––although every one of us might come from a different place––we are all still family.”

IF YOU GO:

The 2025 Chief Ernie Campbell Memorial Musqueam Canoe Races runs from June 13 to June 15. The races start around 5:00pm on Friday and between 11:00am and noon on Saturday and Sunday, depending on the tides. Spectators can watch from the beach behind the Musqueam Cultural Centre, which is located at 4000 Musqueam Avenue, Vancouver. Visitor parking is available onsite, while the nearest bus stop is a 15-minute walk away (visit the TransLink website to plan your trip). Admission to the event is free.

Last Updated on June 10, 2025 by Tourism Richmond