Miles Morrisseau
ICT
One of the biggest sporting events in the world has kicked off in North America.
The World Cup is being hosted in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 –July 19. Toronto and Vancouver are the host cities in the north, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey in the south and 11 American cities including Seattle, Philadelphia, Houston and Los Angeles will hold matches.
Held every four years, the World Cup is one of the world’s most-watched sporting events across the world.
Indigenous people in many host cities are involved in hosting, Indigenous artists, performers and Indigenous vendors are at some sites.
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is an official host city supporter for Seattle.
“Things are going as anticipated and planned. After working two years, the team has risen to the occasion,” Amy McFarland, World Cup Project Director for the tribe told ICT in an email. “Our community is responding positively and our viewers and our participants are reporting that it is not only a memorable place to come and visit but it’s a lot of fun. I look forward to the continuation of the upcoming events.”
On the tribe’s official website, they welcomed visitors from around the world to their territory. “We invite them not only to witness world-class soccer, but also to experience the enduring presence, generosity, and resilience of the Puyallup people.”
On June 18, the tribe will host a Coastal Protocol to symbolically celebrate the arrival of visiting nations. Invited Tribes will share traditional songs and dances with all guests to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the region’s local Native American heritage and canoe culture.
FIFA has partnered with the United Nations Human Rights for the Unite for Indigenous Peoples campaign. The goal is utilizing the game as “a unifying force that can advocate for the rights of indigenous communities everywhere and recognize their cultural contribution.”
Indigenous Tourism BC has produced a video from the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations welcome the world to FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver.
Here are some of the Indigenous events and actions being held in host cities.
Seattle
The Native Action Network is hosting Kickin it Indi-City: An Indigenous Soccer Celebration. It will be two days of activities to coincide with World Cup games in Seattle including a market, vendors, watch parties and more.
Toronto
The Tkaronto Market will be open every day of the World Cup, Indigenous vendors will be sent up near the main stage to sell local goods and products.
There is a full day of activity and music on National Indigenous Day June 21.
Allied Nations
A supergroup of established Indigenous musicians who gathered together to honor the late Robbie Robertson, Mohawk, and have continued to make and share music. Featuring Derek Miller, Sadie Buck, Jai King-Green and more the collective came together in the spirit of unity and Haudenosaunee/Anishinaabe values.
Nimkee and the Niniis
Juno nominated for Traditional Indigenous album in 2022, Nimkee and the Niniis are a drum group from central Ontario
Sky Dancers
Dance group from Six Nations of the Grand River will perform social songs and dances of the Haudenosaunee.
Vancouver
National Indigenous celebrations during the World Cup will feature some incredible shows by acclaimed artists.
Indian City was formed in Winnipeg by the late Vince Fontaine, founder of the iconic Eagle and Hawk, to bring together some of the city’s most talented Indigenous singers, songwriters and musicians. The band was awarded best Americana recording at the 2025 Native American Music Awards.
Snotty Nosed Rez Kids from the Haisla Nation, will be performing in their home province during this west coast showcase and .
Murray Porter
The legendary blues man from Six Nations of the Grand River, Murray Porter plays the piano and growls and moans the blues like no one else in the business.
Garret T. Willie
Touring behind his latest release, the Namgis First Nation/Tlingit rocker is garnering fans wherever he goes tearing up the stage with original numbers and classic rock by AC-DC and more.
June 24
Snotty Nosed Rez Kids
The award winning rap duo from the Haisla Nation will be performing on the main stage fresh off dates opening for Chance the Rapper and Big Boi from OutKast.
July 3
Crystal Shawanda
The blues singer from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island is known for her soulful and smoky vocals that conjure up the delta blues and her Pottawatomi ancestors.
July 5
Elisapie
Elisapie continues to build bridges and evolve styles while sharing and preserving her language. Her last album Inuktitut had cover songs of Metallica, Pink Floyd and Stevie Nicks all sung in the Inuit language.
July 10
Tewanee and the Dreamwalkers, led by Tewanee Joseph, Squamish Nation/Maori offer a contemporary take on that old time rock and roll.
July 11
Blue Moon Marquee
Blue Moon Marquee is another group that is building connections between contemporary and traditional sounds into something unique. The band’s latest release is a collaboration with Grammy nominated powwow drum Northern Cree.
