National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21st. This day is for recognizing and celebrating the many cultures and contributions of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. It is a time for reflection, education, and action about Indigenous past, present, and the future.
This last year has brought forward many hard truths that still demand justice. Much more work needs to be done to bring home the children lost through the residential school system to their communities.
We are also continuing to learn about the truths of knowledge lost, traditions taken and history that needs to be corrected. We remain committed to this work and invite everyone to join us on this day to celebrate Indigenous communities and also to commit to your own learning journey.
Here are a few ideas to help you celebrate, educate yourself and support our Indigenous community.
Celebrate Indigenous Culture & Educate Yourself in the Process
Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Art
Urban Shaman
290 McDermot Ave
Canadian Plains Gallery Inc
181 Higgins Ave
Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art
611 Main St
Creeations & Artists Showcase
586 Main St
Teekca’s Aboriginal Boutique
1 Forks Market Rd · In The Forks
Winnipeg Art Gallery
300 Memorial Blvd
Gallery 1C03
515 Portage Ave · Near Southbound Vaughan at Portage North
Plug-In Institute of Contemporary Art
460 Portage Ave #1 · Near the University of Winnipeg
Jackie Traverse (Artist)
209-63 Albert St · In Hammond Building
Neeginan Centre
– Aboriginal Centre Of Winnipeg Inc (ACWI)
181 Higgins Ave
Watch an Indigenous Movie
- Angelique’s Isle
- Angry Inuk
- Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner
- Beans
- Birth of a Family
- Club Native
- Empire of Dirt
- Kanehsatake: 270
- Kayak to Klemtu
- Grizzlies
Listen to Indigenous Music
- The Halluci Nation
- Snotty Nose Rez Kids
- Nataanii Means
- Gunner Jules
- Fawn Wood
- Tia Wood
- Spur Pourier
- Tammy Lamouche
- Northern Cree
- DJ Kookum
- PIQSIQ
- Ms.PAN!K
- Mob Bounce
- Cris Derksen
Read an Indigenous Book
Indigenous Writes
by Chelsea Vowel
The Knowledge Seeker
by Blair A. Stonechil
Creating Space: My Life & Work in Indigenous Education
by Verna J. Kirkness
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act
by Bob Joseph
Braiding Sweetgrass
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Break
by Katherena Vermette
Firekeeper’s Daughter
by Angeline Boulley
The Marrow Thieves
by Cherie Dimaline
Research as Ceremony
by Shawn Wilson
Life in the City of Dirty Water: A Memoir of Healing
by Clayton Thomas-Muller
Five Little Indians
by Michelle Good
Eat at a Local Indigenous Restaurant
Cookem Daisey’s
761 Westminster Ave
(204) 981-6119
Aboriginal fusion (food truck)
https://www.facebook.com/aboriginalfusion/
Feast Café Bistro
587 Ellice Ave
(204) 691-5979
Perfect Place Café
541 Selkirk Ave
(204) 582-1728
Neeginan Centre Restaurant
181 Higgins Ave
(204) 989-6605
Podcasts by Indigenous Creators
Two Crees in a Pod
by Amber Dion & Terri Cardinal
Matriarch Movement
by Shayla Stonechild
All My Relations
by Matika Wilbur, Desi Small-Rodriguez & Adrienne Keene
Book Women Podcast
by masinahikan iskwêwak
Coffee & Quaq
by Alice Q. Glenn
Kiwew
by David A. Robertson
Métis in Space
by Mollv Swain and Chelsea Vowel
A Tribe Called Geek
TEDTalks by Indigenous Speakers
‘We the People’ – The three most misunderstood words in US history
by Mark Charles
The Danger of Silence
by Clint Smith
We are More than Murdered & Missing
by Tamara Bernard
How do we Stop Aboriginal Women from Disappearing
by Beverley Jacobs
Decolonization is for Everyone
by Nikki Sanchez
Canadian Shame: A History of Residential Schools
by Ginger Gosnell-Myers
Okicitawak: Worthy young men’s perceptions of Indigenous manhood
by Keestin O’Dell
Support Our Indigenous Community
Advocate for Indigenous Rights
Non-Indigenous people must be actively engaged in calling for change across Canada.
Write a letter to your federal and provincial government representatives, calling for a forensic and independent search of all residential school properties for graves so that the children can be returned home.
Also, call for them to provide clean running water to all Indigenous communities now.
Support an Indigenous Business
Donate to an Indigenous Organization
Support organizations that provide ongoing trauma support to survivors of residential schools and ongoing colonial laws, policies & institutions and work to heal the intergenerational trauma that it has caused.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society