Skip Navigation

Chair's Corner

Breadcrumbs

Regional Chair Gary Carr: Celebrating and honouring National Indigenous History Month

Jun 01, 2023
National Indigenous History Month with image of artistic bird, narwhal and violin

June is National Indigenous History Month (external link), where we celebrate the diverse history and culture of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island (now known as North America).

This month celebrates Indigenous culture, acknowledges the revival and resurgence taking place within Indigenous Communities and recognizes the contributions made by Indigenous Peoples. National Indigenous History Month was first officially recognized in 2009, following a House of Commons decision to highlight the month of June as a time to celebrate and honour the achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across the country. Celebrating Indigenous achievement is an important piece in Reconciliation, as illustrated in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report (external link).

Indigenous Cultural Celebrations

On June 21, the summer solstice, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (external link), which is an opportunity for all of us to recognize and celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Many First Nations also celebrate the Strawberry Solstice in June, in recognition of when the first strawberries of the season are ready to be picked. Oneida Peoples view the first strawberry of the season as a gift from the Creator, while for many Anishinaabe Nations, the strawberry shares a deep connection to mind, body and spirit. The seeds on the outside of the fruit are used to teach about vulnerability. In both Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe cultures, the strawberry is also viewed as a traditional medicine, and all parts of the strawberry are used in the making of different foods and drinks.

Support, Truth and Reconciliation

This past May, the House of Commons unanimously backed a motion for the National Alert System for MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls). Halton Region also wishes to voice its support for this system, and the recognition that Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls as a national emergency is long overdue. Indigenous women are crucial contributors to Indigenous culture, maintaining roles as healers, knowledge keepers, elders, caregivers and parents, among many more. This targeted violence towards Indigenous women not only impacts victims and their loved ones, but also entire communities.

Halton and Regional staff have been continuing to advance a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation through ongoing efforts to build and foster meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, Communities and First Nations based on cultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect. Halton has continued to grow its relationship with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, increasing the areas in which we collaborate and ensuring that an Indigenous lens is applied to the work being done by Halton Region.

Resources available to learn more

In celebration of National Indigenous History Month, I encourage you to explore resources to learn more about Indigenous history by:

This year, you can join the conversation online by using the hashtag #NIHM2023.

For more information about Halton’s ongoing work to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous People and Communities, please visit halton.ca. By celebrating National Indigenous History Month, we honour all Indigenous Peoples and recognize their many contributions to making Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire.

TOP