June marks National Indigenous History Month in Canada, and the arrival of the Summer Solstice on June 21st brings National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a dedicated time to reflect on, recognize, and celebrate the rich history, diverse heritage, and enduring contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
Whether you are looking to deepen your own cultural understanding, support your staff teams, or introduce these vital perspectives to newcomers in LINC classrooms, a wide range of resources and local events across British Columbia and the Yukon are available to support continuous learning throughout June and all year round. When engaging with these materials, it is helpful to understand the relationship between Indigenization and Decolonization:
Indigenization is about centering Indigenous knowledge, voices and presence and requires Indigenous leadership and consent.
Decolonization is about critically examining and dismantling colonial assumptions in how we teach, what we treat as knowledge, and who we centre in our practice. That work belongs to non-Indigenous practitioners to take on themselves.
Our goal as allies should therefore be grounded in decolonizing our practices:
- The National LINC Curriculum Guidelines (NLCG) provides a list of Indigenization focused resources for the LINC Classroom. Some of these activities are co-created with Indigenous Peoples and Knowledge Keepers. These may be helpful in critically examining and dismantling colonial assumptions.
- Rebecca Thomas, a Mi’kmaw woman offers a rich exploration about how language impacts cultural understanding. Her TEDx Talks explores Etuaptmunk – Two- Eyed Seeing describes learning to use both Indigenous ways of seeing and knowing alongside other ways of seeing and knowing to strengthen intercultural understanding.
- TIES has worked with Indigenous Elders and community members from across southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia to develop the Indigenous Voices in the Classroom (IVC) project that includes comprehensive lesson plans for CLB 2, CLB 4
- The Gwich’in Artifact Collection Explores rich cultural heritage of Gwich’in, one of the most northerly Aboriginal peoples, through artifacts, historic and contemporary photographs and oral histories and stories.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia offers background evolution of the Music of Indigenous Peoples in Canada
- Getting outside to explore and experience Indigenous events and activities in the BC and Yukon is another great way to learn more about where we live. Check out Indigenous Tourism BC, Indigenous Yukon and Yukon First Nations Culture & Tourism Association to explore local events in our BC/Yukon region.
Our LINC classrooms serve as a vital entry point for newcomers, offering a unique opportunity to foster a deep, nuanced understanding of Canada’s identity, the past and the present. This journey requires a thoughtful balance. On one hand, it means guiding students through the challenging truths of our shared history, including the vital work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People. On the other hand, it invites us to celebrate the joy, and vibrancy of Indigenous cultures through art, food, music, and community gatherings. By creating space for both truth and celebration, we can help newcomers build meaningful connections to the land and its original stewards.
