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?

  1. 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.
  2. 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...

  1. Attend events and activities hosted by Indigenous groups and leaders to help build understanding and relationships with Indigenous peoples in the province.
  2. Connect and partner with Indigenous cultural leaders to build inclusive programming and services.
  3. 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.
  4. Take meaningful steps towards Truth and Reconciliation.

Attend

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour the children who returned home, and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the Truth and Reconciliation process. The day is a statutory holiday for federally regulated workplaces, and any other organizations that choose to recognize the day for their workplaces. Check out SaskCulture's Events Calendar for some of the many activities that take place each year throughout the province.

Here are some of the events that commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

Watch

Listen

Learn

Read

Act

Donate

Connect

Some of the resoures identified in this list were excerpted from Celebrating Orange Shirt Day, prepared by the Regina Chamber of Commerce.