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. The summer solstice is a significant day to many Indigenous communities, while being the longest day of the year it offers a generous amount of time to learn about and engage with Indigenous knowledge, culture, and history in celebration of all the unique Indigenous Peoples and communities (York University).  

A day of recognition of Indigenous Peoples in Canada was first suggested by the “National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) in 1982. The first province “to establish June 21st as a day to celebrate Indigenous culture” was “Quebec ... in 1990” (The Canadian Encyclopedia). June 21st, 1996 was the first official celebration of National Aboriginal Day, and the name was officially changed on June 21st, 2017, to National Indigenous Peoples Day, “reflecting a national and international preference for the term Indigenous” (The Canadian Encyclopedia). There is no single Indigenous culture and June 21^st, National Indigenous Peoples Day, offers us all a time to reflect on the places we live, the history of the people and the land, and to acknowledge and celebrate cultural diversity.  

Ten ways to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day (with examples):

1. Attend a local event

Consider looking for local events such as those listed at SFU: National Indigenous Peoples Month. 

2. Learn about Indigenous history

Spend the day learning about the Indigenous history of where you live, where you may have lived before, or where you work:  

1. Check SFU Library’s page, Traditional Territories for information on First Nations in BC, the colonization of BC, and guidance on land acknowledgements.
2. A good place to begin is Native-Land.ca.
3. Decolonize your own backyard with Reciprocity Trusts. 

3. Learn about an Indigenous language

Learn about the Indigenous language of the communities where you live or work:  

• Learn “hello” or how to greet someone in an Indigenous language, using the First Voices website.
• Use the First Peoples’ Cultural Council Language Map to learn about the diversity of languages across Canada, and in BC specifically.  
• Engage with the Indigenous Language Resources from Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

4. Hear from Indigenous community members 

Learn what National Indigenous Peoples Day means to Indigenous SFU community members.  

5. Read Indigenous authors

Read a book or a graphic novel written by an Indigenous author. 

6. Watch movies by Indigenous creators and directors

Scroll to Indigenous Cinema: Directors  @ National Film Board of Canada, Indigenous-made Films Catalogue @ Reel Canada, or CBC recommends top 5 Indigenous films available free online.

View Indigenous films and documentaries through Curio. Watch Indigenous films on Criterion on Demand; choose “Indigenous Studies” from the main page or look up a title. Try out the free trial of Lumi to watch Indigenous films and TV shows before subscribing. Explore CBC Gem’s “Indigenous Stories” collection.

7. Listen to music by Indigenous music artists

Jump into the Indigenous Artists you should know Spotify Playlist or Songs of the Land: Tracing Global Pathways in Indigenous Music @ SFU 2019.

8. Experience Indigenous Art, Music and Dance practices

Get to know your Indigenous artistic community in the following ways:

• Indigenous Art Practice @ SFU.
• Visit an Indigenous Art gallery in your area, such as in downtown Vancouver @ Fazakas Gallery or the Bill Reid Gallery.
• Survey Burnaby’s Indigenous Public Art installations around the city.
• Create your own walking map of Indigenous Public Art in Surrey.
• Visit Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House in Surrey, plan to visit during summer open house days Saturdays 12-4pm or to attend an upcoming workshop. 

9. Read and share Canada’s Action Plan in response to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. 

Canada’s Action Plan: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan.

10. Read, reflect, and talk about the 10 Guiding Principles from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report with your family, friends, and colleagues.   

10 Guiding Principles from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report

(Adopted from Indigenous Corporate Training INC, 2019).