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Whale Runway: Indigenous Fashion Night
June 25 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
$120
Experience a one-night-only celebration where fashion, biodiversity, and Indigenous storytelling come together beneath the skeleton of the largest animal on the planet.
Join us for an evening of fashion, culture, and storytelling beneath the stunning blue whale skeleton at the Beaty Biodiversity Museumat UBC.
Presented in partnership with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, this special event will celebrate Indigenous creativity and design during Indigenous History Month through a unique runway experience set within one of Vancouver’s most extraordinary museum spaces.
Surrounded by the museum’s impressive natural history collections and beneath the 26-metre blue whale skeleton suspended in the atrium, guests will experience an intimate evening featuring contemporary Indigenous fashion, artistry, film, and community.
Held during Indigenous History Month, this unique cultural experience celebrates Indigenous creativity, strength, resilience, and living cultures of Indigenous peoples.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC
General Admission – $120
Your ticket includes access to the full evening program:
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- Showcase of Indigenous art and makers
- Indigenous catering and light refreshments by Salishan Catering at the Niche Café
- Documentary screening about the Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week
- Q&A session with featured guests
- Live music throughout the show by DJ Kookum
- Indigenous fashion runway show beneath the iconic blue whale skeleton
- Access to museum collections and exhibitions throughout the event, including our new exhibition Li bootee mishiwayitay — The Beauty of It All by Daphne Boyer
Evening Schedule
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Showcase of Indigenous art and Indigenous catering by Salishan Catering at the Niche Café
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Documentary screening about Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week and Q&A in the museum auditorium
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Fashion show beneath the iconic 26-metre blue whale skeleton with live music by DJ Kookum
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Explore the museum collections and the Indigenous artists booths
Guests are welcome to explore the museum collections throughout the evening. Please note that food and drinks are not permitted in collection areas.
Important Information
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- Limited-capacity event
- Registration required
- No walk-ins permitted
- Early ticket purchase is strongly recommended
- Schedule is subject to change and may be updated prior to the event
- Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the Indian Residential School Survivor Society following the coverage of event costs
Media Notice
This event will be videotaped and photographed for documentation and promotional purposes. If you do not wish to appear on camera, please inform museum staff upon arrival so accommodations can be made.
Acknowledgements
This event was made possible through the generous support of UBC’s Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives(OISI), the Vice-President Academic Office (VPAO), the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre(IRSHDC), and the Faculty of Science.
