It’s a time to celebrate, honour and learn about the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. For generations, Indigenous peoples have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of summer solstice as the longest day of the year. Twenty-five years ago June 21 was chosen in cooperation with Indigenous groups for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. The celebration this year is dedicated to the missing children, families left behind and the survivors of residential schools. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013248/1534872397533
We’ve compiled some upcoming cultural events, and suggestions for Indigenous music, films, local learnings, podcasts, books, businesses to support, and places to visit.
EVENTS:
National Indigenous Peoples Day Event-Royal Roads: Our main local event on June 21 streaming on Facebook Live starting at 9am June 21 https://www.royalroads.ca/news/joining-together-national-indigenous-peoples-month-day
Quadra Village Community Center Event: Bannock and strawberries and live performance https://www.qvcc.ca/indigenouspeoplesday
Indigenous Day Live-Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN): Indigenous Day Live is the largest event in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It is a cultural and musical performance show (broadcast live on aptnlumi.ca) on Sunday June 20 at 8 PM Eastern Time and then will continue to be available for free until June 22. https://www.indigenousdaylive.ca
Banff Center-National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration: An online celebration of Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot, Dene, Ktunaxa and Métis of Treaty 7 starting a 9 am June 21 and including workshops, yoga, film screenings, Indigenous market and more! https://www.banffcentre.ca/nipd
LOCAL LEARNINGS about Lekwungen Peoples and Territory (where South Park Family School is):
Cheryl Bryce: a Traditional Knowledge Holder of the Kwetlal (camas) food system and member of the Songhees Nation, shares some of the ongoing work she is doing in her traditional role at Meegan, also known as Beacon Hill Park. Before Covid, she would run nature walks and Colonial Reality Tours. https://vimeo.com/40525013
7 Signs of Lekwungen Peoples: 7 unique site markers that designate culturally significant sites to the Songhees and the Esquimalt Nations along the Inner Harbour and surrounding areas. Information about these markers and much more found on the Songhees Nation Website https://www.songheesnation.ca/community/l-k-ng-n-traditional-territory
Information about Lekwungen language, culture and more on Esquimalt Nation website: https://www.esquimaltnation.ca/our-nation/language-culture
WATCH:
Films
Indigenous Films at the National Film Board: https://www.nfb.ca/indigenous-cinema/
Indigenous Film Series hosted by Museum of Vancouver and Vancouver International Film Festival: https://viff.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam%3A%3AWScontent%3A%3AloadArticle%3A%3Acontext_id=&BOparam%3A%3AWScontent%3A%3AloadArticle%3A%3Apermalink=who-we-are-series
LISTEN:
Podcasts:
Telling Our Twisted Histories: Decolonize your words https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/906-telling-our-twisted-histories
Pieces:The distinct pieces of Jeremy- who is of Indigenous and white heritage https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/476-pieces
Media Indigena: a weekly current affairs round table on Indigenous issues and events https://mediaindigena.com/about/
Music:
Speak Up!: an annual rotating selection of First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists who have left their mark on culture through music https://www.studiobell.ca/speak-up
Reclaimed: weekly show on CBC radio with Jarrett Martineau that explores contemporary Indigenous music https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-184-reclaimed
Buffy St. Marie: renowned Cree artist, musician, composer, trailblazer and activist http://buffysainte-marie.com/?page_id=24
READ:
South Park Community Learning Commitment: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaZKoHy8vx0d3GI2Qy8UVLK2fwT6n5YhTYTY0SAyWGxmvOUw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
Indiginews: an online independent Indigenous news platform (an excellent follow on Facebook) with reporters currently covering the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island. https://indiginews.com
Canada Reads Winner 2021: “Johnny Appleseed” by Joshua Whitehead- Celebrate both Pride and Indigenous culture https://www.cbc.ca/books/canada-reads-winner-jonny-appleseed-by-joshua-whitehead-optioned-for-tv-adaptation-1.6070040
Darrel J. McLeod: A local longtime Vancouver Island resident and author of two memoirs “Mamaskatch” (award winning) and of “Peyakow”. He is Cree from Treaty 8 Territory. He has also worked as a teacher, a chief negotiator of land claims for the federal government, and an executive director of education and internal affairs with the Assembly of First Nations https://milkweed.org/author/darrel-j-mcleod
Marilyn Dumont: An award winning Métis poet https://nac-cna.ca/en/wildwestshow/artistique/wild-west-show-artistique-lettre-a-sir-a-macdonald
https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_display.php?i=562
108 Indigenous Writers to Read: Writers suggested by followers of CBC on social media https://www.cbc.ca/books/108-indigenous-writers-to-read-as-recommended-by-you-1.4197475
35 Books to read for National Indigenous History Month https://www.cbc.ca/books/35-books-to-read-for-national-indigenous-history-month-1.5585489
Top Ten (+ More) Must Reads by Indigenous Authors https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/indigenous-voices/
EXPLORE (places,languages,arts,culture):
First Peoples’ Map of what is now known as B.C.: An interactive, constantly updated map (just launched June 16, 2021!!) designed by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) and intended for both Indigenous and non Indigenous peoples to learn about First Nations’ culture. It divides the province up into Indigenous territories and includes content that weaves together Indigenous languages, arts and culture in one space. https://maps.fpcc.ca
*** Note: First Peoples’ Map is focussed on contemporary First Nations rather than historical First Nations territories and communities. Explore the similarities and differences on the following two map sites where you can learn about which territory your home is situated on, find information for land acknowledgements and learn about treaties and agreements signed:
https://www.whose.land/en/about
Pacific Northwest Cards: 65 edible and medicinal plants are detailed including the description of traditional Indigenous uses and ways of harvesting plants. Multiple Indigenous languages are also used. https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_display.php?i=7484
Indigenous Tourism B.C.: Support Indigenous Tourism Experiences this summer (travel ideas, things to do, places to go, where to stay) https://www.indigenousbc.com/stay-local-support-indigenousbc/
LOCAL INDIGENOUS BUSINESSES to SUPPORT:
Songhees Event Center/Food Truck/Farmers’ Market https://www.songheesevents.ca/gallery-cafe
Victoria Orange Shirt Day: owned and operated by Eddy Charlie, a residential school survivor, and his friend Kristin Spray. They sell items year round online and at the Moss Street Market. https://victoriaorangeshirtday.com
Strong Nations: An online Indigenous owned and operated bookstore/publishing company and gift shop in Nanaimo https://www.strongnations.com
CHILDREN’s RESOURCES (read,watch,listen):
9 things for your kids to watch, read or listen to this Indigenous History Month: https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/nine-things-your-kids-watch-read-or-listen-to-this-indigenous-history-month
Read:
Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) 94 Calls to Action: Youth friendly booklet created by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada https://fncaringsociety.com/sites/default/files/child_friendly_calls_to_action_web.pdf
‘First Nations Communities Read Award’ Winners: https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_list.php?it=3&p1=3737&cat=3738
CBC Kids: 18 Indigenous books (comics, picture books) and video games to read, watch or play https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/eighteen-indigenous-books-and-video-games-to-read-watch-or-play
Watch:
Wapos’s Bay Series: A Gemini award winning stop-motion animation series that follows the adventures of 3 kids from a Cree community in Northern Saskatchewan. https://www.nfb.ca/playlist/wapos-bay-series/
Monique Gray Smith: Watch the acclaimed Indigenous author read from her children’s books as well as a video where she shares how to talk to your children about residential schools https://www.moniquegraysmith.com/watch-listen
Listen:
Warrior Kids Podcast: A podcast for kids from all backgrounds which celebrates all things Indigenous and focuses on putting into action what is learned to protect all things on Turtle Island https://warriorkidspodcast.com/about.html