How To Participate in Indigenous History Month in a Meaningful Way

“Society depends on businesses contributing to social and economic wellbeing for everyone. The business community must contribute to Indigenous reconciliation in Canada. Start to create Indigenous-related strategies that align with your corporate objectives – from procurement, hiring and relationship building there is much to contribute.” — Kim Baird

 

When it comes to Indigenous History Month, many Canadians of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds ask how they can get involved. Communities across the country are hosting events with the aim to educate, entertain and honour the unique heritage of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.

 

Indigenous Peoples in Canada

 

 

In Canada, there are three main groups of Indigenous People:

 

• First Nations
• Métis
• Inuit

 

Within the First Nations group, there are more than 630 communities representing 50 distinct nations, speaking over 70 languages. 

 

The Métis is a unique group, representing people of mixed indigenous and European backgrounds (mainly French and Scottish). This group has its own unique culture and heritage. The Métis are found in the prairie provinces, mainly, but there are pockets of Métis people in Ontario, British Columbia, and in the north, too.

 

The Inuit are Indigenous Peoples from the northern parts of Canada, such as Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Northern Quebec, and Northern Labrador. 

 

So, when we honour our Indigenous population, we are honouring not one group, but many.

 

Reasons for Reconciliation

 

 

Learning about Canada’s history with our Indigenous population is an important step in achieving reconciliation. While there are many beautiful and positive stories within these communities, there is an undeniably dark past when it comes to how these communities were treated and how racism and economic inequality continues to plague many of these groups today.

 

Here are some stats that may surprise you:

 

• 17.1% of Indigenous people live in housing that is unsuitable, inadequate, or unaffordable (compared to 9.4% of non-Indigenous people).
• Access to clean drinking water remains a challenge in many First Nations communities.
• 59% of Indigenous adults (25–64) have a high school diploma or equivalent, compared to 89% of non-Indigenous adults.
• Unemployment rate (pre-COVID): ~10.1% for Indigenous vs. 7.3% for non-Indigenous.
• Shorter life expectancy
• Higher rates of diabetes, suicide, and mental health challenges
• Ongoing impact of intergenerational trauma, residential schools, and systemic racism
• Over 6 in 10 (63%) Indigenous women have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime, compared to about one-third of non-Indigenous women.
• Estimates suggest that as many as 4,000 Indigenous women and girls have been reported missing or murdered over the past 30 years, highlighting a national crisis.

 

These are just some of the stats showing that there are still many challenges faced by Indigenous communities. And while efforts are being made, it’s up to all Canadians to make a difference.

 

How you can Honour Indigenous Peoples in June (Across the Country)

 

There are events taking place across the country to honour Indigenous History Month:

 

Alberta

 

• Art Gallery of Alberta 
• Calgary Public Library
• University of Calgary – Campfire Chats
• Telus World of Science Edmonton
• Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

 

British Columbia

 

• Justice Institute British Columbia

• BC Recreation and Parks Association
• Vancouver Public Library

 

Manitoba

 

• Winnipeg Art Gallery – Qaumajuq centre

• Musée de Saint-Boniface

• Manitoba Museum

• University of Winnipeg

New Brunswick

 

• Elsipogtog Mi’gmaq Cultural Centre

• First Nations Storytellers

• Metepenagiag Heritage Park

Newfoundland and Labrador

 

• Baetha Statues and Healing Garden

• Gros Morne National Park

• Torngat Mountains National Park

Northwest Territories

 

• Prince of Wales Northern Cultural Centre

Nova Scotia

 

• Saint Mary’s University

• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

• Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre

• Museum of Natural History

Nunavut

 

• Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum

Ontario

 

• Nathan Philipps Square

• Toronto Public Library

• Fort York

• Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival

Prince Edward Island

 

• University of Prince Edward Island

• Charlottetown

 

Quebec

 

• Concordia University

• Montreal Museum of Fine Art

• Quebec City

• KWE! Show

Saskatchewan

 

• Royal Saskatchewan Museum

• Canadian Sport Centre

• University of Saskatchewan

Yukon

• Kwäday Dän Kenji (Long Ago Peoples Place)

 

Donate

 

Can’t make it to an event? That’s okay! There are plenty of wonderful organizations you can support!

 

• Water First
• True North Aid
• Native Women’s Association of Canada
• Indspire
• Indigenous Youth Roots
• The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• Victim Services Toronto
• Indigenous Prosperity Foundation

 

Indigenous-Owned

 

Did you know that Staff Shop is an Canadian-Indigenous-Women-owned business? Our Founder and CEO, Jennifer Ménard-Shand is First Nations Ojibwe and French-Canadian. 

 

Staff Shop is recognized as a diverse supplier:

 

• Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC – representing Aboriginal and visible minority-owned businesses)
• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) – Certifies Aboriginal-owned businesses and connects Indigenous and non-indigenous communities
• Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada – representing women-owned businesses)
• WEConnect International (Women Owned) – a global network that connects women-owned businesses to qualified buyers internationally

Jennifer also sits on the board at Victim Services Toronto, an organization that helps victims of crimes such as human trafficking, a crime that disproportionately affects Indigenous women and girls.

 

Get Involved

 

Whether you are Indigenous or an ally, it’s important to get involved with community initiatives. Volunteer, attend an event, donate to an organization. Do something. And don’t stop once June ends. This is a 365 day issue!

If you’re interested in hiring Jennifer to speak on Indigenous topics, hire her for your next corporate event.

“Reconciliation is realized when two people come together and understand that what they share unites them and that what is different about them needs to be respected.” — Wab Kinew