National Indigenous History Day and Month
Celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures, and valuable contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis this June, National Indigenous History Month!
For generations, Indigenous Peoples have been celebrating their culture and heritage on June 21, chosen for the summer solstice and longest day of the year.
After calls from the Assembly of First Nations for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day, in 1996 the Government of Canada designated June 21 as National Aboriginal Day, later changing the name to National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017.
Langara welcomed the change with three full days of festivities in June 2017. See photos of the artist market, workshops, carving demonstrations, traditional performances here!
On Thursday, June 20, community members are invited to join the Langara Students’ Union for drummers and dancers, bannock and jam, fresh berries, t-shirt printing, and crafts!
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration
11:30 am–2:30 pm
Green space between the SUB and B Building
There are also many celebrations taking place across the Lower Mainland, from Richmond to the Fraser Valley. Learn more here.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is the first in the series of Celebrate Canada days, concluding in Canada Day.
While Canada Day has complex roots in colonization, as discussed in this short video, it’s an opportunity “for those who don’t understand the Indigenous perspective to create relationships with diverse people and have conversations about the narrative behind Canada’s Confederation”, and for all Canadians to note the rich “history and achievements of Indigenous Peoples and reflect on the work that still needs to be done”.
Recommended readings:
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph
Unsettling The Settler Within, by Paulette Regan
The Inconvenient Indian, by Thomas King
Jimmy Aitken, Indigenous Student Engagement Officer
Tanya Miller, Mental Health Initiatives Consultant
