June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate and learn about the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It’s a moment to honour their stories, achievements, and enduring presence on this land. Here are two events taking place in Toronto this month that celebrate Indigenous Culture:
National Indigenous History Month at Fort York: At Garrison Common, Fort York, a free event family-friendly, community-centred event will take place celebrating Indigenous culture on June 15th and 16th. On Saturday, there will be a pow Wow hosted by Na-Me-Res with drummers and dancers and the Mississaugas of the Credit’s Indigenous Arts Festival live concert will be featuring traditional and contemporary music. On Sunday there will be live performances by top Indigenous talent and an artisan and food market with handmade crafts and delicious Indigenous cuisine.
Beading Workshop Inspired by Nico Williams: On June 22 join artist Skye Paul from Running Fox Beads for a beading workshop inspired by Nico Williams’s “Tracings” project at The Bentway. Learn basic beading techniques, understand its role in healing, and create your own beadwork. This workshop offers a great way to learn a new skill and connect with the community.
June is a time to delve into Indigenous history and expand knowledge to foster proactive change year-round. You can download the Reconciliation: A Starting Point app on App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) to learn about Indigenous Peoples in Canada, key historical events, and reconciliation initiatives.