Canadiens honor Indigenous culture with First Peoples Celebration at Bell Centre

A night of Indigenous pride unfolds at the Bell Centre. From a custom logo to live performances, the Canadiens spotlight First Nations culture.

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2026 March 22 . 1:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people wearing costumes and holding sticks in their hands, performing a... — The image shows a group of people wearing costumes and holding sticks in their hands, performing a dragon dance in front of a crowd of people. In the background, there are buildings, trees, light poles, and a sky with clouds, creating a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year celebrations in Brisbane.

Canadiens honor Indigenous culture with First Peoples Celebration at Bell Centre

The Montreal Canadiens will hold their annual First Peoples Celebration at the Bell Centre this Saturday. The event will showcase Indigenous culture through food, art, and music, with contributions from artists, chefs, and performers from Quebec's First Nations communities. A special logo, designed by an Atikamekw Nehirowisiw artist, will feature prominently during the game and on merchandise.

A custom team logo, created by Terry Randy Awashish from Opitciwan, will be displayed across the arena and on official merchandise. The design includes big game animal tracks and organic floral shapes, reflecting traditional Indigenous wildlife and patterns. The moccasin outline in the logo represents the Four Directions of the Medicine Wheel, symbolising balance and interconnectedness. Its green background honours notcimik—the forest central to many First Peoples communities—while the colours draw from powwow regalia, beadwork, and crafts.

Guest chef Ryland Diome, from Kahnawà:ke, will run a special concessions kiosk during the event. Meanwhile, Montreal-based Inuk DJ Atamone will provide music before the game, during intermissions, and after the final whistle. The Canadiens will also sell merchandise featuring Awashish's logo, with 25% of profits donated to the Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ). The event highlights contributions from Indigenous artists, chefs, and performers, though the total number of represented communities has not been confirmed.

The celebration will bring together Indigenous traditions through food, music, and visual art. Proceeds from logo merchandise will directly support the RCAAQ's work with First Peoples in Quebec. The event marks another year of collaboration between the Canadiens and Indigenous communities.