Indigenous History Month

June marks National Indigenous History Month in Canada.
We stand in solidarity and extend our deepest sympathy with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and all Indigenous people impacted by residential schools. This month also marks the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day, held annually on June 21st.

According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, at least 150,000 Indigenous children attended residential schools in Canada from the late 1800s to 1997. This is not just a ‘dark chapter’ in our country’s past- the ideas of racism that justified colonization continue to be embedded in our society, institutions, interpersonal interactions and ideas about ourselves. Indigenous communities continue to face systemic oppression, trauma, inequity, and discrimination to this very day.

We recognize that our vision of building a welcoming community, a community that demonstrates equity and inclusion to benefit from the contributions of all members, can only be achieved by acknowledging the history and working towards decolonization and true reconciliation.

You can learn more about the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples by visiting Celebrating National Indigenous History Month, by reading a digital copy of one of the books from the Indigenous Reads-reading list or by exploring some of the resources listed below.

• A great resource- Celebrating Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Learning and activity guide
• Indigenous History-Makers
• About National Indigenous History Month
• Indigenous history
• Voices from Here education guide
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Act
• Online course- Indigenous Canada
• Native Land Map
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Resources for students and educators
• #215Pledge: The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
• #215Pledge: Recommended resources
• Template letters to Parliament
• Letter template to Prime Minister Trudeau asking government to commit to action
• Contact information: Federal Ministers
• Contact information: Provincial Ministers (Members of the Legislative Assembly)

Events-

• The Village Workshop (Online)With Kathi Camilleri– June 10 – 18. Learn about colonization and reconciliation, centering storytelling as a traditional way of teaching.
• Indigenous Resistance: A Nahanee Decolonial Timeline, June 4; Online
• Indigenous Identities, June 18; Online
• Territorial Acknowledgments, an Interactive Introduction on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2021, June 21; Online

Click here for more EVENTS