June is National Indigenous History Month

General
By Emily Carr University

Posted on June 11, 2024 | Updated June 11, 2024, 10:44am

Felt Ovoids by Charlene Vickers.

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, and June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day.

This month offers an opportunity to grow your understanding of the rich cultures, traditions, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples who have lived on these lands since time immemorial.

As settlers and migrants to this land, we must incorporate reconciliation and decolonization into our daily lives. So treat this month as a key step in standing with Indigenous artists and creators and deepening your learning journey through attending community events, reading Indigenous authors, watching films by Indigenous filmmakers, and more.

To support this effort, we’ve assembled highlighted some events and resources at ECU and in the wider community to mark the occasion below.

ECU Events

June 1-30: Your Old Way Kind of Vision (Libby Leshgold Gallery) - This new exhibition at the Libby Leshgold Gallery is curated by Daina Warren (BFA 2003), Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives at ECU. Your Old Way Kind of Vision features works by Siku Allooloo, Catherine Blackburn, Wally Dion and Charlene Vickers (BFA 2012). Artist Talk - Date TBD, please see the Libby Leshgold Gallery or the AGP websites for updated information.

June 14-15: Indigenous Summer Market (ECU) - The Aboriginal Gathering Place is hosting the 2nd Annual Indigenous Art Market in honour of Indigenous Peoples Month. The event is free and features over 20 vendors, which also include artists and designers from the ECU community and the local Vancouver area.

Reading + Watching

The Library team has created a Reading Room on the first floor of the library with books by Indigenous authors. You can also check out the newly updated Indigenous Research Ethics Guide and the larger Indigenous Topics section for more information on contemporary Indigenous art, and special topics.

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) offers a fantastic online collection of Indigenous-made films through their Indigenous Cinema section, which provides free streaming of more than 200 film titles.

Take a Decolonization Tour of specific artworks by Indigenous artists at UBC and discuss questions of place, space, and identity.

Learn more about whose territory you are on and what language is spoken by that Nation with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council interactive map.

June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day: Pêyakotêwisiwin: The Cinematheque is screening four short films by storyteller, PhD holder, actor, writer, producer, and director Jules Arita Koostachi. Jules’ work touches on colonization and the hope for future generations. There will be a short Q+A after the event with Jules.

Community Events

June 1-30: Indigenous History Month Events - Throughout June, the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Department is hosting multiple events and workshops for people to engage with Indigenous artists, musicians, crafters, and designers.
June 13: The Night Sun: Lunar Cycles and Indigenous Time Keeping - The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is hosting to delve into the rich cultural significance of the Moon with a special interactive presentation featuring Dr. Shandin Pete. Dr. Pete is an Indigenous scholar and Assistant Professor of Teaching at UBC’s Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.
June 14-16: MOA’s Reopening Weekend - The Museum of Anthropology is reopening with a weekend of performances, staff tours and hands-on workshops and admission is half-priced for all visitors.
June 15: National Indigenous History Month Celebration - Join the New Westminster & District Labour Council for their celebration, where you’ll learn and participate in Indigenous and Métis arts, crafts and music.
June 21: 2nd Annual National Indigenous Peoples Day Block Party (Carnegie Community Centre) - The Carnegie Community Centre, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, is hosting its second annual block party. Drop by for cultural performances, community organization tables, giveaways from the Carnegie Cultural Sharing Program, Hives for Humanity, and more.
June 21: Story Stream: Storytime for Adults - The VPL’s unique storytime event showcases the work of 2024 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Joseph Kakwinokanasum, with a reading from his book My Indian Summer.
June 21 - National Indigenous Peoples Day events - Check the listings here for a varied mix of events commemorating the day in the Lower Mainland.