Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration
Celebrate the region’s Indigenous culture and history!
Saturday, August 16th, 2025
10AM – 4PM
Artists’ Market in the Welcome Centre
Including free Bannock!
Special Event Programming
at Mitlite Iskum #188
Morning Drum Circle
9:30am
Join us for a traditional Indigenous drum circle at Mitlite Iskum to start the day and honour the Original Peoples of this land. 15 minutes.
PARADE
11:20am
The parade begins at the Chinatown Arch and finishes at Mitlite Iskum
Welcome Ceremony
11:30am
Join us at Mitlite Iskum as we welcome our guests to the Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration.
Drumming, Dancing, & Stories
11:45pm
The celebration kicks off with ceremonial dances and drumming from across British Columbia, along with stories shared by the region’s Elders.
Bear Dancers
3:15pm
The St’át’imc Bear Dancers provide an unforgettable performance and cultural experience that is not to be missed.
Games
4:00pm
The traditional Lahal game dates back countless generations and is a fun activity for all ages.
Closing Drum Circle
5:15pm
The final drum circle of the day will close out the day’s celebrations.
Regular Programming
THEATRE ROYAL
2:00pm Daily
Featuring music, comedy, and fun for the entire family!
Tickets sold separately. Available at the Welcome Centre.
Theatre Royal Box office is open 1pm-2pm daily.
Theatre Admission Prices
General: $20.00
Seniors: $17.00
Youth (6-16): $8.00
Children 5 and under: FREE
BROUGHT TO YOU WITH SUPPORT FROM
Gold Panning Lesson
All-Day
Get a taste of the Barkerville Gold Rush. Take a step back in history and learn how to gold pan with the old gold miners at the Eldorado Gold Panning & Gift Shop. Pan for a sample of gold to take home. Visit the shop for prices.
Cameron & Ames Blacksmith Shop
All-Day
Experience a working 1870s Blacksmith Shop! Hear the anvil chorus and smell the sizzle of hot metal smoke. Handcrafted iron works are available for purchase.
Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper Shop
All-Day
Founded in 1865, the Cariboo Sentinel newspaper runs for 10 years and reaches global circulation. Visit the print shop to purchase custom-made paper items and also see the editor setting type and operating an original platen press.
Amazing Tales from the Gold Rush Trail
9:15am
30 minutes
A historical overview of British Columbia’s Gold Rush at the Barker Co. Shafthouse. A chronicle of the events and people who prospected their way to Williams Creek and how they followed the geological indicators to the fabulous riches of the Cariboo Gold Fields.
Guided Town Tour
10:00am
70 minutes
Absorb an in-depth understanding of the gold rush history, Barkerville, and the colourful characters of years past by attending one of our enlightening and entertaining town tours, hosted by Barkerville’s historical interpreters. The tour is highly recommended for first-time visitors. Tours begin in front of the Mitlite Iskum Pavilion.
Victorian School Lessons at the Doody House
10:30am & 11:30am
30 minutes each
Experience school like it was when Barkerville was thriving. All are welcome to attend this authentic classroom session. Line up at the schoolhouse doors when you hear the school teacher ringing the bell. Don’t be late, and kindly remove your hats before entering.
Chinese School Lessons at the Myatovic Cabin
12:30pm
30 minutes
School is in session at the Chinese School house. Come and learn about the spoken Chinese language, Chinese calligraphy and how to do math on an abacus.
CHINATOWN TOUR
3:15pm
60 minutes
Explore one of Canada’s oldest Chinatowns. Find out more about the life of Chinese miners and merchants in Barkerville, and how their culture was maintained and adapted to the rugged land of the Cariboo. To join in on the tour, meet in front of the Lung Duck Tong restaurant.
Court Session at the Methodist Church
3:45pm
30 minutes
Learn about early justice in the Colony of British Columbia while our Gold Commissioners re-enact a famous court case from the Gold Rush Era.
Waterwheel Show
4:30pm
30 minutes
See deep shaft placer mining in this lively demonstration of 1870s technology using an authentic wooden Cornish Waterwheel. Learn about the importance and operation of the wheel in a comical and entertaining presentation that is fascinating for the whole family.
Walking Tour and Court Session in Richfield
11:15am
75 minutes
Saturdays & Sundays starting June 28th
Gather at the Kwong Sang Wing Store for your walking tour to Richfield with the Gold Commissioners of the Cariboo, followed by a court session at the historic courthouse. Learn about early justice in the Colony of British Columbia during a re-enact of a famous court case from the Gold Rush Era.
BARNARD’S EXPRESS STAGECOACH RIDES
Francis Jones Barnard’s B.X. Express freighting company shaped communication and travel to and from Barkerville and was the main cartage and passenger service on the Cariboo Waggon Road. Take a horse-drawn tour of Barkerville in an authentic stagecoach!
Thursday – Monday
10AM – 5PM
Every half hour, last ride at 4:30
(Schedule subject to change)
Tickets
Purchased separately at Barnard’s Express, in person (prices include GST)
General (13-64): $12
Seniors (65+): $10
Youth (4-12): $8
Children (0-3) Free