Indigenous peoples have long celebrated their culture, history, and peoples during the summer solstice every year around June 20^th to 22^nd. On June 21st we embrace the opportunity to celebrate Indigenous Peoples across Canada and around the world.

In an analysis of the concept cultural humility, Cynthia Foronda proposes the following definition of cultural humility: “In a multicultural world where power imbalances exist, cultural humility is a process of openness, self-awareness, being egoless, and incorporating self-reflection and critique after willingly interacting with diverse individuals” (2016). In this way, Foronda elucidates, “the results of achieving cultural humility are mutual empowerment, re

First Nations communities had been making bread without flour (aka, unleavened bread) for many generations.

According to Sophie Hicks, author of “Eating History: An Experiential Examination of Pemmican”, “The name of the food comes from the Cree, , which means fat/grease. Pemmican “has been a traditional food of many Indigenous communities in North America long before colonization” (ActiveHistory.ca). 

Do you know what a pow wow is? This term is often misused to describe a meeting or gathering, but that is an example appropriation. A pow wow is a First Nations ceremony and celebration, where people from many different Nations come together to dance, sing, and drum. 

A Potlatch is a ceremony practiced First Nations living along the Northwest Coast and each have may have many unique functions and meanings. Often seen as a gift-giving exchange or celebration by outsiders, the potlatch has many culturally specific functions. William Lindsay who is from the Cree-Stoney Nations and is a retired educator from SFU, explains that “economic, political, social and cultural functions are fulfilled in the potlatch.

Cultural appropriation is the exploitation of a people’s culture. When a people’s traditional dress, music, cuisine, knowledge and other aspects of their culture” is used “without their approval by members of a different culture” it is cultural appropriation (Canadian Encyclopedia, cultural appropriation of Indigenous peoples in Canada).

Passed in 1876, the Indian Act combined previous pieces of legislation on “Indians” in Canada; it does not include the Métis or Inuit. This document “regulates Indians and reserves and sets out certain federal government powers and responsibilities towards First Nations and their reserved lands” (Joseph, 2018, p. 111).

Using the phrase “Turtle Island” when referring to North America comes from Creation or Origin Stories of several Nations (Manitowabi, 2018), and it is also used by Indigenous rights activists” (The Canadian Encyclopedia).