Healthy Communities
Honour National Indigenous History Month — virtually!
12 June 2020 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
June is National Indigenous History Month: a time to honour the history, heritage, and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada and recognize the strength of Indigenous communities today. It’s a time for us to continue our learning about Truth and Reconciliation, to think about how we can play a role in supporting Indigenous communities, and to hear directly from Indigenous peoples about their experiences and needs.
Our YMCA's Indigenous Reconciliation Working Group (IRWG) curated this list of virtual opportunities to help us all deepen our understanding of Indigenous communities and our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
CELEBRATIONS
| THURS. JUNE 18 4:00 – 6:00 PM | A Queer, Trans, Two-Spirit Indigenous Showcase (University of Toronto) The Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SGDO), First Nations House (FNH), and Hart House at the University of Toronto are thrilled to showcase the amazing talents of Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ musicians and performers. Pre-registration is required. |
| WED. JUNE 24 1:00 – 1:30 PM | Virtual Drumming Circle A fun, FREE, live, and interactive online drumming and singing session led by Indigenous knowledge keeper, J'net Ayayqwayaksheelth. Pre-registration is required. |
| MULTIPLE | Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival – Virtual Edition “Live” Indigenous music and dance performances including virtual competition Pow Wow specials in partnership with the Social Distance Pow Wow. Indigenous culinary and arts workshops; learn from Elder teachings; shop at the Virtual Marketplace; Education Days are back for students and teachers as well as lots of fun activities for families. |
LEARNING
| THURS. JUNE 18 4:00 – 6:00 PM | Understanding Indigenous Identity What does it mean to be Indigenous today? Presented by Bearpaw Legal Education & Media. Pre-registration is required. |
| SAT. JUNE 20 2:00 PM | Wisdom Keepers Series (REDTalks): Indigenous Perspectives on COVID-19 Senator Murray Sinclair, author Lee Maracle, and artistic director and moderator Sandra Laronde as they delve into the pandemic and the meaning of wisdom. Live on Youtube. |
| MON. JUNE 22 & TUES. JUNE 23 2:00 – 4:00 PM | IMAGINING Symposium A diverse group of scholars who are working in between the spaces of environmental justice/sustainability, law, education, social work, Indigeneity, art. Pre-registration is required. Schedule and speakers list at this link. |
| WED. JUNE 24 12:00 – 1:30 PM | Panel (Pride at Work): Two-Spirit Inclusion in the Workplace A virtual panel discussion about the many ways that two-spirit and LGBTQ+ Indigenous are instigators of innovation and inclusion in workplaces. Pre-registration is required. |
| WED. JUNE 24 1:00 – 2:30 PM | Webinar (Humber College): Two Spirit Identity A family’s experience of Indigenous Two-Spirit identity with Chantal Sutherland and Brady White. Pre-registration is required. |
| ANYTIME | Read Indigenous Booklist by Toronto Public Library |
| #IndigenousReads Booklist |
THEATRE
| FRI. JUNE 19 2:00 – 4:00 PM | Mistatim (Red Sky Performance) Award-winning virtual theatre performance about a fast-paced horse named Mistatim who will trot, gallop, and fly. Following the performance, join us for a Social Round Up in the chat room with the artists. Ideal for children from 6 – 12 years, parents, teachers, presenters, and all audiences. Pre-registration is required. |
| SUN. JUNE 21 2:00 – 4:00 PM | REDTalk: Ziindaamagat ("a confined space") Join performers and cirque artists as they perform live within unbelievable restrictions. You’ll see some of the most beautiful, breathtaking excerpts from Red Sky Performance’s repertoire, followed by a REDTalk with our artistic director, Sandra Laronde, and performers Jinny Jacinto and Samantha Halas. Pre-registration is required. |
FILM
| WED. JUNE 17 7:00 – 10:00 PM | Soaring Spirits: A collection of Indigenous Short Films Soaring Spirits is a collection of Indigenous short films curated by Cher Obediah. Pre-registration is required. |
| THURS. JUNE 25 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Righting Relations Film Screening: INVASION Invasion is a new film about the Unist’ot’en Camp, Gidimt’en checkpoint and the larger Wet’suwet’en Nation standing up to the Canadian government and corporations who continue colonial violence against Indigenous people. Pre-registration is required. |
| ANYTIME | Indigenous Cinema Discover the National Film Board’s rich collection of Indigenous-made films. |
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
| MULTIPLE DATES - ONGOING | Native Canadian Centre We empower the Indigenous community in Toronto by providing programs that support their spiritual, emotional, physical and mental well-being. |
| EarlyON Indigenous Language and Family Program Indigenous activities, art and stories for children and families on Facebook Live. | |
| Native Council Fire Digital programming, staff videos, youth presentations, links and resources. Visual learning tools, helpful information and distractions to keep us all connected. |
MUSIC
Enjoy this eclectic Spotify playlist of Indigenous Canadian artists.
There's a lot of work that needs to be done to make our communities safer, fairer, and more inclusive. One important way to build a brighter future is to honour, learn about, and celebrate the diverse communities we're privileged to have here in the GTA. We hope you join us in some of these virtual events and learning opportunities to deepen our commitment to reconciliation.
