The summer solstice is upon us! It is also a reminder that June is Indigenous Awareness month and June 21st is National Indigenous Awareness Day. I encourage all of you to take a step in your reconciliation journeys this upcoming month by attending one of the many events that will be taking place. These events encourage relationships with community and broaden your understandings of Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.
See you there!
June is National Indigenous Awareness Month
June is a time for all Canadians (Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomers) to reflect upon and learn the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strength of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people. Here’s the timeline on how Indigenous History Month came to be:
1982: The National Indian Brotherhood (now known as the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day on June 21.
1990: The Quebec legislature recognized June 21 as a day to celebrate Aboriginal culture.
1995: The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended a day be designated as National First Peoples Day. The Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by the late Elijah Harper, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.
1996: Governor General Romeo LeBlanc proclaimed that National Aboriginal Day would be celebrated June 21 each year. “On June 21st, this year and every year, Canada will honour the native peoples who first brought humanity to this great land,” said Leblanc. “And may the first peoples of our past always be full and proud partners in our future.”
2008: Prime Minister Harper offered the full apology on behalf of Canadians for the Indian Residential Schools system.
2009: By unanimous motion in Canada’s House of Commons, the month of June was declared National Aboriginal History Month.
2017: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to change the names to National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous People’s Day, reflecting a national and international preference for the term Indigenous, rather than Aboriginal.
June 19-24, 2023 is Aboriginal Awareness Week in Calgary
Aboriginal Awareness Week in Calgary (AAWC) was founded in the early 1990’s (while not officially titled so at the time) to raise cultural awareness within the City of Calgary and to celebrate contemporary achievements of Indigenous people in Canada. The AAWC encourages agencies within Calgary to organize and develop their own events during the week of June 21st. Please see their website for events and volunteer activities!
June 21 is National Indigenous Awareness Day – The Summer Solstice
This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.
Sources:
Government of Canada: National Indigenous Peoples Day
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1534874583157
National Indigenous Awareness Month
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1466616436543/1534874922512
Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. National Indigenous History Month
https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/national-indigenous-history-month
Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary
Local events to attend!
Calgary Library
https://calgarylibrary.ca/library-news/celebrate-national-indigenous-history-month-2023/?stage=Stage
Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary
Fort Calgary Walk For Reconciliation
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
https://www.fortcalgary.com/events/wfr-2023
Telus Sparks Saturday events
https://www.sparkscience.ca/whats-on/featured-events/indigenous-science-month
Join Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society and ATB for the opening of the Artist of the Month Exhibit.
About the Exhibit:
This group exhibition features the works of talented Indigenous creatives selected by Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society as their “Artist of the Month” cohort for 2022-2023.
The exhibit will run through to July 28th, Monday to Friday from 9:30am-4:30pm inside the Branch for Arts & Culture. Admission is free, all are welcome to visit.
102 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Fort Calgary : Let’s Talk About the Confluence: Artist Talk & Panel Discussion
Celebrate the official opening of Innai’tsiyiyaawa, an exhibit by Sikapinakii Low Horn, with a panel discussion and artist talk.
IndigTrails by USAY- app
Ancestral Nations of Mohkinstsis #2 – Film: Braves Wear Braids
National Indigenous Peoples Day: Panel on Truth & Reconciliation in Sport
Also be sure to check our local Indigenous arts/crafters at Markets on Stephen Avenue and during Aboriginal Awareness Week!
