Support ‘National Indigenous History Month’ – June 2021
Posted on June 1, 2021
First Nations history goes back to time immemorial, from the time of creation and original instructions to colonial and contemporary times. First Nations grandparents, parents, elders, and knowledge keepers keep our history and ancestral knowledge alive through storytelling, songs, art, and ceremony. Our greatest teacher is the land. Some elders have said the land is our teacher, our university. Celebrate the month by sharing stories and knowledge and by listening to teachers, elders and family.
Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations wrote, “First Nations culture is rooted in storytelling. Since time immemorial, we have passed on knowledge from generation to generation through our Oral Traditions to teach our beliefs, history, values, practices, customs, rituals, relationships, and ways of life. Our culture and the teachings of our ancestors are preserved and carried on through the words of Elders, leaders, community members and young ones. These teachings form an integral part of our identity as nations, communities, clans, families and individuals.”
Find and read about ancestral knowledge and heritage through children’s books such as Nibi’s Water Song: A new children’s book that promotes access to clean drinking water by Sunshine Tenasco and illustrated by Chief Lady Bird. This book and other books by Indigenous Peoples can be purchased through GoodMinds.com. It is a First Nations family-owned business: passionate about Indigenous education, they have over 4,000 titles and support Indigenous writers, illustrators, and publishers.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15, 2021
Elders are honoured and respected in First Nations families and communities. But around the world elders are forgotten and abused. For example, in the United Kingdom (UK) there are 1.4m chronically lonely older people in England, and many more across the rest of the UK. This a major issue that is now widely recognized in society today. Age UK works to combat loneliness through influencing, campaigning, and service provision.
The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) happens each year on June 15th. It was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127, December 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), who first established the commemoration in June 2006. It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on some of our older generations.
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2021
June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day! Do not miss the opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the cultural diversity of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples by participating in the many activities happening across Canada! This day has been celebrated as a statutory territorial holiday in the Northwest Territories since 2001 and in the Yukon since 2017. National Indigenous Peoples Day is the same day as the summer solstice. In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) first suggested establishing “National Aboriginal Solidarity Day” as a day of recognition. In 1990, Quebec became the first province or territory to establish June 21st as a day to celebrate Indigenous culture.
Get more information and learn how to plan activities on this special day. Join in the fun, virtually at:
Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival – Virtual Edition https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/
National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration – Virtual Powwow https://www.todocanada.ca/city/winnipeg/event/national-indigenous-peoples-day-celebration-virtual-powwow/
Listing of virtual events: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/indigenous-peoples-day/list-events.html
Nuttah and Kitchi National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration is written by Sandra Samatte, Ojibwe – Saulteaux – from Skownan First Nation Treaty 2 Territory and illustrated by Julian Grafenauer, Ojibwe from Rolling River First Nation. Come celebrate and explore with Nuttah and Kitchi on June 21st, the first day of summer as they experience all the exciting fun-filled activities and events that take place on National Indigenous Peoples Day.
A new companion activity book is now available! Nuttah & Kitchi National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration Activity Book: Indigenous Teachings and Fun Activities for Everyone!