CRAB Park Tent City celebrates Indigenous Day with salmon barbecue
Unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Swx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, June 23, 2024 —
Today — Sunday June 23rd — the encampment at CRAB Park will recognize Indigenous Day with a salmon barbecue open to the community.
The tent city — known as Ayx* Village — began as a small group in 2021 and has weathered extreme weather, legal challenges, a court case, and the recent “clean-o-viction” by the Vancouver Park Board. At its peak, the camp had over 120 residents. Currently only 11 residents are “officially” permitted daytime sheltering in the “Designated Area”.
*Ayx is the Squamish word for CRAB
Indigenous Day has been celebrated in CRAB Park since 2019. A salmon barbecue was held in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023. CRAB Park residents and supporters will prepare a delicious regional meal for the community.
The camp is in the midst of a human rights case against the City of Vancouver and the Park Board, alleging discrimination and the lack of services. The case was filed in December 2023 and fast tracked in recognition of its urgency.
For three years, peers and residents have created a safer space, with peer witnessing for overdose response safety, cultural programming, life skills and pre-employment training and food security. The camp has been supported by over 70 non-profit and community organizations.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Park Board has doubled down on enforcement against the encampment. The Park Board passed new Bylaws in April, including much stricter enforcement on sheltering in parks.
- WHAT: Salmon barbecue
- WHEN: Sunday June 23 from 2–4 pm
- WHERE: The gazebo at CRAB Park
Camp residents, friends, community members and supporters will join at 2 pm to honour and celebrate Indigenous Day.
There are currently 11 tents in the Designated Area at CRAB Park, and about 5,000 homeless people in the Lower Mainland.
Media etiquette: Please remember that a tent is a home and be respectful of personal space
Media contacts
Fiona Y, advocate 604–251–6164
Ryan S, supporter 778–668–1645
Michelle G-C, (médias francophones), 604–817–7668
Residents may be available upon request
