Canada 150 Parliament Hill Ceremonial Teepee

On June 28 2017, 80 Indigenous rights activists attempted to enter the gates of Parliament Hill.

They wanted to set up a large teepee and carry out a four-day fast and prayer.

It was meant as a protest of Canada’s 150th celebration.

Police stopped them at the gate.

A standoff lasted for hours.

Ten activists were taken into custody. They were later released, but banned from Parliament Hill for six months.

The teepee went up in the early hours the next day.

The events resonated with those who see Canada’s 150th anniversary as a painful reminder of colonization and the attempted assimilation of Indigenous Peoples.

A deal was negotiated to allow the teepee to stay on Parliament Hill through the Canada 150 celebrations.