Celebrate Indigenous languages! National Indigenous Languages Day, March 31, raises awareness of the need for language preservation and the continuing role Indigenous languages play in sustaining and revitalizing communities.
Indigenous Heritage
A tribute to Indigenous veterans
Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8 is a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the remarkable contributions and sacrifices of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals during Canada's military operations and peacekeeping projects.
Indigenous service members displayed remarkable resilience, overcoming language barriers, cultural disparities and significant journeys to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. Post-war, many Indigenous war veterans did not receive the same care as others.
Today, Indigenous individuals continue a legacy of service. Take a moment to acknowledge service and sacrifice with a title from this list.
Treaties Recognition Week reading list
November 5-11 is Treaties Recognition Week. This week recognizes the importance of learning about the treaties between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, their history and treaty rights and obligations. Knowledge of these documents and their legal frameworks is essential to reconciliation. To learn more, check out the titles on this list.
First Nation Communities READ
Check out some of the titles on the First Nation Communities Read (FNCR) shortlists! FNCR celebrates the very best of Indigenous literature across Turtle Island. The program encourages family literacy, intergenerational storytelling and intergenerational knowledge transmission. FNCR also helps to increase awareness of the importance of First Nation, Metis and Inuit writing, illustration and publishing.
The winners were announced during First Nation Public Library Week during the first week of October. Be sure to check out the complete 2023-24 Adult/YA list and Children’s list.
National Day of Action for MMIWG/Sisters in Spirit Day
Sisters in Spirit vigils and walks are held annually every October 4, the National Day of Action for MMIWG, honouring the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people.
In June 2019, the MMIWG National Inquiry released its final report, showing that “persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.”
See the profiles of some of the missing and murdered using CBC’s Case Explorer.
The MMIWG crisis support call line is available to provide support for anyone who requires assistance. This line is available free of charge, 24/7. Please call 1-844-413-6649 if you or someone you know needs help or support.