Building Meaningful Relationships with Indigenous People and Communities

National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQ+ People – May 5

The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQ+ People (MMIWG2S), also known as Red Dress Day is recognized across Canada on May 5. On Red Dress Day, we honour and bring awareness to the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.

The name “Red Dress Day” was inspired by Métis artist Jamie Black’s The REDress Project (external link). Jamie’s art installation hangs red dresses to represent the thousands of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people who have gone missing or been murdered, and whose families have been left without answers.

In May of 2023, the House of Commons agreed to implement a National Alert System for MMIWG2S. Indigenous women are crucial contributors to Indigenous culture, maintaining roles as healers, knowledge keepers, elders, caregivers, parents and more. Targeted violence towards Indigenous women not only impacts victims and their loved ones but also entire communities.

Learn more by visiting the
National Inquiry into Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls website (external link)

National Indigenous History Month – June

Each June, we celebrate National Indigenous History Month to celebrate and honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous Peoples from coast to coast and across Turtle Island (now known as North America). National Indigenous History Month was created in 2009 in the House of Commons to highlight the achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples throughout Canada. This month celebrates Indigenous culture, recognizes the contributions made by Indigenous Peoples, and acknowledges the acts of revitalization and resurgence that are happening within Indigenous Communities. As illustrated in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report, celebrating Indigenous achievement is an important piece in Reconciliation.

Indigenous Cultural Celebrations

On June 21, the summer solstice, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, a chance to learn about the heritage, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

The Strawberry Solstice is also celebrated in June by many First Nations when the first strawberries are ready to be picked. Oneida Peoples view the first strawberry of the season as a gift from the Creator. In many Anishinaabe Nations the strawberry shares a deep connection to mind, body and spirit, while the seeds on the outside 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.

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

• taking a virtual tour of the Woodland Cultural Centre (external link), a former Residential School that is now a museum;
• enrolling in the free online course Indigenous Canada by the University of Alberta (external link);
• finding stories and experiences told by 2SLGBTQ+ women and girls through the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls website (external link);
• visiting the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website (external link) for resources about the Residential School System;
• reading books from Indigenous authors, including:
  • Margaret Pokiak-Fenton’s Fatty Legs: A True Story
  • Jessica McDiarm’s Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
  • Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass
• watching films or documentaries, including:
  • The Inconvenient Indian
  • Rumble: The Indians who Rocked the World
  • Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner.

Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30

September 30, marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day for all Canadians to reflect on the history and legacy of the Residential School system, remember the victims and survivors, and honour the strength and resilience demonstrated by Indigenous Peoples and Communities across Canada.

Across Canada, there were 140 federally run Residential Schools that operated between 1867 to as recently as 1996. Residential schools were attended by over 150,000 children – many of whom were taken from their families and forced to endure horrific conditions. At least 10,000 children died while attending Residential Schools and the graves of many students are still unknown. Across the country, many communities and organizations honour the day by hosting events and memorials for survivors, families, and children who never made it home.

Every year, the flags at Regional facilities in Halton are lowered to half-mast, including the ‘Every Child Matters’ flag in honour of all the survivors and communities impacted by Residential Schools and the children who did not make it home.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established in 2008 to document a historical record of the Canadian Residential School System. Members of the TRC travelled the country, hearing the stories of over 6,500 witnesses who provided their personal knowledge and information about the residential school system. In 2015, the TRC released its final report, including 94 Calls to Action calling upon Canadian governments, businesses, and citizens to advance the goals of Truth and Reconciliation.

On June 3, 2021, the Federal Government declared September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day is not only a commemoration but also represents decades of Indigenous resiliency and advocacy and calls for concrete action to take place to reconcile with the wrongdoings of the past.

September 30 is marked as Orange Shirt Day because it is historically known as the time of year when children were taken from their homes to attend Residential Schools. The date also coincides with the beginning of the school year, where important conversations about anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion can take place with youth and educators across the country.

Orange Shirt Day originated from the story of Phyllis Webstad (YouTube video), a Northern Secwepemc Shuswap from Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. On her first day of Residential School the orange shirt she was wearing, a gift from her grandmother, was taken from her. Wearing orange is a symbol acknowledging how the culture, freedom and self-esteem of Indigenous children were stripped away for generations.

Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month – November

November marks Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month, an opportunity for us to celebrate the culture, traditions, and heritage of Indigenous Peoples and Communities while continuing on our journey of Truth and Reconciliation (external link).

Dates of significance throughout this month include:

• Treaties Recognition Week (external link);
• National Indigenous Veterans Day (external link); and
• Louis Riel Day (external link).

These important days allow us to reflect on the immense contributions made by Indigenous Peoples in Canada.