Indigenous Awareness Hub

Indigenous Awareness Hub
It’s time to learn more about First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, cultures and experiences, and work together towards Truth and Reconciliation. Over 16% of Saskatchewan’s residents are Indigenous, and according to Stats Can, the population is younger and expected to keep growing. It is important that cultural leaders build their understanding of change needed to increase the participation of Indigenous peoples in the cultural eco-system in the province.
Ready to begin?
- Learn more about Truth and Reconciliation by reading, and then committing to take action, on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
- Watch/Listen/Read to build understanding of the experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Canada. There are many resources that share how residential schools sought to “kill the Indian in the child” by removing children from their families in the effort to destroy the cultural identities and family structures of Indigenous peoples. Check out resources to learn more.
Next, take action...
- Attend events and activities hosted by Indigenous groups and leaders to help build understanding and relationships with Indigenous peoples in the province.
- Connect and partner with Indigenous cultural leaders to build inclusive programming and services.
- Honour Indigenous peoples by recognizing their outstanding achievements and celebrate National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation each year.
- Take meaningful steps towards Truth and Reconciliation.
Attend
June is recognized as Indigenous Peoples History Month, a national initiative that was born in Regina, Saskatchewan thanks to the advocacy and hard work of the Regina Aboriginal Professionals Association.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on June 21st, the summer solstice. Each year, First Nations, Métis and Inuit people hold special events on this day to share the richness, diversity, and beauty of their cultures and languages and to celebrate and raise awareness about their achievements and their contributions to the social and cultural fabric of Canada. Check out SaskCulture's Events Calendar for some of the many National Indigenous Peoples Day activities that take place each year throughout the province.
Here are some of the events that either take place during, or span, Indigenous Peoples History Month:
- maanippokaaiini by Adrian Stimson - April 2 - September 5, 2022 - Remai Modern Art Gallery, Saskatoon
- Radical Stitch - April 30 - August 28, 2022 - MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina
Watch
- Indigenous Day Live - APTN
- Traditional Knowledge Keepers Video Series - Royal Saskatchewan Museum
- Phyllis Webstad's Presentation on Orange Shirt Day
- What Non-Indigenous Canadians Need to Know
- Stolen Children: Residental School Survivors Speak Out - CBC News: The National
- 8th Fire: Wab Kinew's Walk Through History - CBC
- What is Reconciliation? Indigenous Educators Have Their Say
- Namwayut: We Are One
- We Were Children - International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Trailer
- Separating Children from Parents: The Sixties Scoop in Canada
- Orange Shirt Day Stories 2020
Listen
- Native Currents Podcast
- All My Relations Podcast
- The Jig is Up Podcast
- Still Here Still Healing - Jade Roberts
- Residential Schools - Historica Britannica
- Truth Before Reconciliation
- Reconcile. Everyday Conversations - Warren Isbister Bear, City of Saskatoon
- Residential Schools Podcast Series - The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Unreserved with Rosanna Deerchild - CBC Radio One
Learn
- 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Online Course - RBC, First Nations University of Canada, Reconciliation Education
- National Indigenous History Month
- Resources for Reconciliation/ConnectR
- First Steps as an Indigenous Ally
- #ActOnReconciliation - Saskatoon Tribal Council
- Reconciliation Saskatoon
- 150 Acts of Reconciliation - Crystal Fraser and Sara Komarnisky; A compilation of 150 everyday acts that average Canadians, as well as others, can undertake that will encourage people to think about Indigenous-settler relationships in new ways.
- Beyond 94 - Interactive Website
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Education Resources
- Did You Live Near a Residential School?
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act - Bob Joseph
- Certificate of Reconciliation Studies - First Nations University of Canada
- Indigenous Canada - University of Alberta; Take as a credit, a certificate or a free online course
- Residential Schools in Saskatchewan - Location Map, University of Regina
Read
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, 2015
- Truth and Reconciliation Reading List - ConnectR
- Read for Reconciliation - Regina Public Library
- Orange Shirt Day and Honouring Residential School Survivors Book List - Saskatoon Public Library
- OTC Recommended Reads on Reconciliation - CKUW 95.9FM Podcast
Act
- 10 Things You Can Do: Kamloops Residential School
- Activities for Orange Shirt Day
- Orange Shirt Day Activities
- Support Indigenous Businesses, Indigenous Business Directory, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
Donate
- Orange Shirt Society
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
- Truth and Reconciliation Week Fund, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Reconciliation Canada
- ProMetals Every Child Matters, proceeds going to scholarships for Indigenous Youth, proudly supported by Pasqua First Nation
Connect
- Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan
- Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN)
- First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv)
- Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI)
- Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre Company
- Regina Aboriginal Professionals Association
- Sâkêwêwak Artists’ Collective
- Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC)
- Saskatchewan Ânskohk Writers’ Circle Inc. (SAWCI)
Some of the resoures identified in this list were excerpted from Celebrating Orange Shirt Day, prepared by the Regina Chamber of Commerce.