June is Indigenous History Month — a month dedicated to recognizing the rich history, resiliency, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples throughout Canada.
And the president and CEO of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Sarah Midanik is urging all Canadians to celebrate the historic and modern contributions of Indigenous people in the development of Canada.
Midanik said that: “Despite the efforts of colonization, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and communities continue to embody resilience and preserve the richness and diversity of Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island.”
She continued: “This Indigenous History Month, we are celebrating what we are seeing throughout Canada: the resurgence of Indigenous languages and traditions, changes to educational and legal processes, and business models designed to advance self-determination and strengthen the Indigenous economy.”
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) continues to work at this intersection, bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together to build awareness, foster education, and create the connections necessary for reconciliation efforts from coast to coast to coast.
This month, DWF will be hosting four (4) virtual events throughout June to honour and celebrate Indigenous history, culture, and arts, while also raising awareness of DWF’s work and the true history of Canada’s residential school system.
By binding the past and present, these events help us reimagine what the future holds for Indigenous communities throughout Canada and chart a path toward reconciliation.
The themes of this year’s events are honour, commitment, and reflection.
The events will highlight Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, and allies from the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick, and conclude with a special Canada-wide episode.
Featured in these episodes are critically acclaimed, award-winning singer-songwriters Buffy Sainte-Marie and Leela Gilday, performers The North Sound, Wolf Castle, Willie Thrasher, and Samaqani Cocahq, spoken word poet Zoey Roy, fiddler and composer Wesley Hardisty, and more.
Event Dates/Times:
- Northwest Territories – June 8, 2:00 pm EST
- Saskatchewan – June 15, 2:00 pm EST
- New Brunswick – June 22, 2:00 pm EST
- Canada – June 29, 2:00 pm EST
The events can be viewed on DWF’s Youtube and Facebook channels. All events will have French subtitles.
Register at https://downiewenjack.ca/indigenous-history-month-2022/ to join the events and stay in touch with DWF.
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund was inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada.
DWF aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all people in Canada.
To learn more, go to www.downiewenjack.ca