National Indigenous History Month in Canada

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage near to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For opportunities to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, click here.

1. Visit the Na-Me-Res Pow Wow and Indigenous Arts Festival at Fort York June 17-18, where you can sample Indigenous foods and purchase Indigenous arts and crafts. 

2. Learn more about the culture and history of Indigenous peoples through free movies and documentaries on Kanopy, which you can stream through the Toronto Public Library, and on the National Film Board site. Educational videos are also available from the ROM.

3. Write a personally meaningful Land Acknowledgement for yourself or as a family.

4. Tour the Daphne Cockwell Gallery dedicated to First Peoples Art & Culture at the ROM.

5. Support Indigenous artists by purchasing their art through legitimate sources such as the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto.

6. Take a self-guided walking tour with Heritage Toronto and learn about the long history of Indigenous people in our city.

7. Donate to an Indigenous charity. There are over 200 listed on the Canada Helps website.

As we become aware of additional activities, the Social Justice Committee will post them on the DJC Facebook page.