Award-Winning Indigenous Festival Come Toward the Fire Expands to Three Days at UBC
Award-winning Come Toward the Fire Festival returns to UBC Sept. 18-20 with Indigenous music, culture, workshops and a new Day of Knowledge Sharing.
Come Toward The Fire
By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | July 22, 2026
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The award-winning ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl – Come Toward the Fire Festival is returning to the University of British Columbia this fall with its largest program to date, expanding to three days of Indigenous music, culture, learning and community celebration.
Presented by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in partnership with Musqueam, the fifth annual festival will take place September 18–20, 2026, across the Chan Centre and several venues throughout the UBC campus on unceded Musqueam territory.
Recognized as BC Live's 2025 Festival of the Year, this year's edition introduces a new Day of Knowledge Sharing, broadening the festival beyond live performances to include workshops, cultural tours, discussions, film screenings and educational programming.
"This year, that spirit grows," said Jarrett Martineau (nêhiyaw/Denesųłine), Head Curator of the Chan Centre. "The addition of a Day of Knowledge Sharing reflects what this festival has always believed: that joy, learning, and cultural vitality are inseparable."
The festival, presented with support from the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, was first launched in 2022. Its name, ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl – Come Toward the Fire, was gifted by Musqueam Elder and language keeper Larry Grant, with special thanks to Musqueam artist Christie Lee Charles. The name reflects a return of Indigenous voices to the heart of community life while celebrating Indigenous creativity, culture and storytelling.
Three Days of Programming
The festival opens on Friday, September 18, with a free Day of Knowledge Sharing running from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can take part in workshops, artist roundtables, learning discussions, cultural tours, film screenings, video art and an Indigenous artisan market. Programming will be held at the Chan Centre, the Museum of Anthropology, Belkin Gallery, UBC First Nations House of Learning and the UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. The day begins with a Musqueam welcome and includes performances by Coastal Wolf Pack and the Cree/Métis folk trio Burnstick.
On Saturday, September 19, the festival transforms the Chan Centre and surrounding outdoor spaces into a family-friendly celebration from noon until 6 p.m. Admission is by donation through a pay-what-you-can wristband, with organizers emphasizing that no one will be turned away.
The day features live music, dance performances, DJs, workshops, storytelling, author presentations, food trucks, an Indigenous artisan market, skateboarding demonstrations, live mural painting and film screenings, including Gord Downie's The Secret Path.
Among the musical highlights are the Vancouver debuts of Cree neo-soul and R&B artist LOV, whose debut album Iskwew has attracted a growing following, and Cherokee/Muscogee singer-songwriter Kalyn Fay, performing songs from the recently released album Garden. Additional performers include Burnstick, Francis Baptiste, Caley Watts, G̱a̱mksimoon, Curtis Clear Sky and the Constellationz, Joey Stylez, Semiah and Eagle Ex Machina.
The festival concludes on Sunday, September 20, with a ticketed closing concert at the Chan Centre from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., hosted by actor, comedian and activist Dallas Goldtooth, widely recognized for his role in the television series Reservation Dogs.
Headlining the evening is two-time JUNO Award-winning Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee, joined by Boslen, Logan Staats, Musqueam performer Miss Christie Lee, Coastal Wolf Pack and Cree pop artist Siibii, who will also make a Vancouver debut. A pre-show Indigenous artisan market and Indigenous food trucks will begin at 5 p.m.
Celebrating Indigenous Voices
Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow said the festival continues to strengthen the partnership between Musqueam and the Chan Centre while creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange.
"As the host Nation, it is deeply meaningful for us to support a gathering that celebrates Indigenous creativity, storytelling, and the living cultures of Indigenous Peoples from across these lands," Sparrow said. "This festival creates space for Indigenous voices to be seen, heard, and celebrated."
Organizers say the festival remains committed to amplifying Indigenous artists and knowledge while welcoming audiences of all backgrounds to experience Indigenous cultures through music, dance, storytelling, visual arts and community engagement.
The 2026 edition features performances from artists representing Indigenous Nations across Canada and the United States, reflecting the festival's continued growth as one of British Columbia's premier celebrations of Indigenous arts and culture.
Tickets for the Sunday closing concert are $79 (Premium), $49 (Regular), and $29 (Indigenous and Student). The Friday Knowledge Sharing events are free, while Saturday festival admission is by donation with a pay-what-you-can wristband.
For tickets, venue information and the complete festival schedule, visit cometowardthefire.com.
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