June is National Indigenous History Month, which honours and recognizes the rich cultures, languages, contributions and the resilience of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It presents an opportunity to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous experiences through listening to and learning from their voices.
Throughout June, the government of Canada has dedicated each week to a different topic, exploring Indigenous themes such as women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people; environment, traditional knowledge and territory; children and youth; languages, cultures and arts; and reconciliation.
We can use these themes to guide our own learning as we continue our journey toward greater understanding and recognition of the vast contributions that Indigenous people and cultures have made to our country.
Here are some resources to get you started:
- Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada: a directory of Indigenous stories and articles on topics such as residential schools, ceremonial spaces, food and traditional land use.
- Powwow! Ohcîwin The Origins: a virtual exhibit by the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery on the origins, purpose and culture of Indigenous Powwows in Canada.
- Indigenous Arts & Stories: read about young Indigenous artists and writers as they share their own stories.
- CBC Kids: explore a database of informative web pages, games, videos, articles and quizzes for your children to learn more about Indigenous history, culture and traditions in Canada.
- Paths to Reconciliation: an interactive learning resource created by Indigenous educators, Elders and residential school survivors and their families.
- Native Land Map: a map to discover traditional Indigenous territories across the world.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia Land Acknowledgment: learn what land acknowledgements are and why they are important.
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: you will find age-specific teaching resources that may help you engage in conversations about Indigenous history and reconciliation with kids of any age.
- Canadian Museum For Human Rights: a curated collection of stories, art exhibits, videos and more.
At Moorelands Kids, we are committed to understanding and reflecting upon the contributions of Indigenous peoples within our own Toronto community. We recognize that our operations take place on the traditional Indigenous territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. Additionally, Moorelands Camp on Kawagama Lake is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishnabeg and Huron-Wendat peoples. Read more about Kawagama Lake’s Indigenous connections here.
We wholeheartedly embrace the task of listening, learning from, and amplifying Indigenous voices, as we strive to address the historical and systemic injustices that Indigenous peoples have endured. By engaging in open and honest conversations and actively supporting Indigenous resources, we can contribute to the healing of past wounds and help build a more inclusive future.