June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. This is an important time to centre Indigenous voices and seek out opportunities to unlearn the incomplete narratives many of us have been taught about Indigenous peoples and communities.
At CivicAction, our work is centred in the region we now know as the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). It is our practice to begin every event with a land acknowledgement; recognizing that our region is situated upon traditional and current Indigenous territories that include the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabeg, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
Land acknowledgements are one step to take to better understand the history and stewardship of this land, but we should endeavour to go well beyond that – to continually learn from Indigenous sources, buy from Indigenous businesses, and donate and volunteer for Indigenous organizations in our region. There are also a number of great resources available to help further your own understanding and knowledge (for example, the CivicAction team has been taking the Indigenous Canada course over the past year – a free virtual course offered by the University of Alberta, as part of our own commitment to educating ourselves).
Here are some ideas for additional ways you can support Indigenous communities in our region:
Check out these Indigenous-owned businesses:
- Outlier Leather Co is an Indigenous-owned brand offering hand-stitched leather products
- Pow Wow Café is a café offering contemporary Indigenous cuisine in Toronto.
- Warren Steven Scott is a contemporary accessory designer, fashion designer, tailor, and craftsperson and is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation.
- Miiken Handcrafted is a jewelry brand offering handmade beaded jewelry.
- Nish Dish Catering operates pop-up food stalls and a catering business, with a menu crafted by Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette from many knowledge keepers and ancestors of hunters and gatherers who have shared and taught their families Indigenous food practices.
Support these Indigenous organizations with your time and/or donations:
- Anishnawbe Health Toronto is a healthcare organization providing services to Toronto’s Indigenous population for over 30 years. The Anishnawbe Health Foundation is currently raising funds to support the building & programming of Anishnawbe Health’s new facility in Toronto.
- The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto offers a wide range of programs & services based on Indigenous cultural traditions and teachings, with the aim of empowering the Indigenous community in Toronto.
- The ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency focuses on providing cultural, employment, life skills, holistic wellness. and recreational opportunities to Indigenous youth ages 12-29.
- Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre is an autonomous, vibrant cultural agency that involves and serves the Indigenous community with confidence for and commitment to their well-being.
Engage with Indigenous culture and events:
- Attend the City of Toronto’s annual Sunrise Ceremony in Nathan Phillips Square in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2022.
- Check out the Indigenous Arts Festival at Fort York on June 18 & 19, 2022, which includes the Annual Traditional Pow Wow by Na-Me-Res.
- Visit the Native Arts Society, a grassroots space that supports the flourishing of art that is rarely platformed, with a focus on art created by the street community, incarcerated or recently incarcerated artists, and contemporary Inuit artists.
- Tune in to ImagineNATIVE, the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content, with a festival in October and programming for Indigenous History Month taking place now.
And a reminder – if you plan to purchase an orange shirt to show your support for the Every Child Matters movement, be sure to buy from Indigenous retailers or sellers who are clear that all proceeds are being given back to Indigenous communities!