National Indigenous History Month 2022

National Indigenous History Month
June 2022

In 2009, the House of Commons declared that June would be National Indigenous History Month to be recognized all across Canada.

During the month of June, the Anti-Racism Advisory Working group encourages all Waterloo regional residents to reflect on not only the detrimental harm that Canada has done to Indigenous communities, but the powerful action that Indigenous communities are taking by protecting the lands, waters, wildlife and future generations.

Within National Indigenous History Month, we recognize both the inception of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples Day.

National Day of Reconciliation was once recognized on June 11. On this date in 2008, the Canadian federal government publicly apologized to Indigenous communities for the creation and implementation of the Indian Residential School System which was responsible for separating over 150,000 Indigenous children from their families, communities and cultural connections. We now recognize National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th of every year.

Many of these children were abused, neglected, and later died, only to be discarded in shallow graves when these schools were unsuccessful in their attempts to “Kill the Indian in the child” - words shared by Canada’s very first prime minister, Sir John A MacDonald.

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is considered a day of mourning within Indigenous communities, as remains are still being recovered, while many traumas are continuing through the means of systemic prejudice and colonial governance. We ask that you broach these topics with respect and adequate education when discussing the events of our Nation’s past.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21. On this day, we celebrate Indigenous communities and the unique imprint that its people and its heritage has left on our lands and in the waters we drink. The Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group asks that Waterloo regional residents support their local Indigenous initiatives while uplifting the communities that surround them.

Prepared by the Region of Waterloo Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group