In advance of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Indigenous Education at NC will host two events for students, staff and faculty to honour the occasion.
National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice. This special day is an opportunity to learn more about the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Originally known as National Aboriginal Day, Indigenous Peoples Day was chosen by the Government of Canada in collaboration with Indigenous communities and organizations.
Indigenous Education welcomes the College community to attend a Three Sisters Soup lunch on June 20 from 12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. at the Welland Campus (L201).
The College community is also invited to attend a Sweetgrass Braiding Session on June 20 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Welland Campus (L201). The sweetgrass for the initiative was harvested from The Community Love Garden at Willowbank, which is located on traditional Haudenosaunee territory. To register for sweetgrass braiding and teaching email [email protected].
Leah Hogan, Associate Director of Student Services, said the sweetgrass braiding holds special significance, used as a purifier and to attract positive energy at the beginning of prayer or ceremony.
In addition to supporting NC’s Indigenous initiatives, Hogan said that the College community is encouraged to explore the NC’s growing collection of Indigenous resources, which are available from the NC Libraries, and to get involved with local Indigenous events.
“We encourage the NC community to support local Indigenous celebrations,” said Hogan. “We would also like to take this opportunity to share our unique and growing Indigenous collection and resources within our Niagara College Library in partnership with Indigenous Education.”
View Indigenous resources
A variety of books, e-books, online videos and films and podcasts are available from the NC Libraries at nclibraries.niagaracollege.ca/indigenoused/rwl.
Local events
The Niagara Regional Native Centre, in partnership with the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and the City of St. Catharines, will host Indigenous Solidarity Day in St. Catharines with various events from 9 a.m. to sunset. Details are available on Facebook here.
The Fort Erie Native Centre will host a Remembering the Children event on its site, beginning with a sunrise gathering and lighting of the fire at 5:30 a.m., with initiatives held until closing at 5 p.m. View plans on its Facebook page here.
Learn more
For information about Indigenous Education at NC visit niagaracollege.ca/indigenouseducation.
Learn more about National Indigenous Peoples Day on the Government of Canada website here:rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1534874583157
