How to celebrate and honour National Indigenous History Month in 2023

National Indigenous History Month is a time for learning about, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in shaping Canada. Explore how Calgary is appreciating Indigenous history, diversity, and experiences with some of these events and resources.

Ways for you to appreciate and learn about the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people

CBC Communications · Posted: Jun 01, 2023 8:45 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 7, 2023

(CBC)

National Indigenous History Month is a time to celebrate and commemorate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of Indigenous Peoples from coast to coast to coast.

Explore how Calgary is appreciating Indigenous history, diversity, and experiences with the content and resources below.

Community events to attend

The Calgary Public Library is hosting a Indigenous themed series of Family Storytime sessions throughout the month of June. | Various locations and timings
The Calgary Public Library is launching a virtual speaker's series "First Person: Living Joyfully" with Jesse Wente speaking on joy in Indigenous stories. | Virtual on June 9, 7 p.m.
The Calgary Public Library is hosting Indigenous Awareness: The Kairos Blanket Exercise, an experience that looks at the lived experience of Indigenous people within Canada. | Central Library on June 10, 1 p.m.
The Calgary Public Library is launching the Elders Storytelling Series on appropriation vs. appreciation with Elder Adrian. | Virtual on June 13, 1 p.m.
The Calgary Public Library is hosting a Métis History and Jigging Lesson with Elder Doreen Bergum. | Central Library on June 15, 11 a.m.
YMCA is hosting its 16th annual Indigenous Youth Hoops Basketball Tournament with community partners like Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth, etc. | Brookfield YMCA in Seton on June 17, 11 a.m.
Sled Island and Moments Fest present and Indigenous music showcase with bands like 1876, No More Moments, Bench Party and Indian Giver | Ship & Anchor on June 21, 7:30 p.m.
The Calgary Public Library is live streaming an Education Keynote with Order of Sport Recipient and Hall of Famer, Alwyn Norris. | Virtual on June 21, 10:30 p.m.
Fort Calgary, Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, Alberta Health Services and Trellis Society present the 14 Annual Walk of Reconciliation | Harry Hays Building on June 21, 8 a.m.
The Calgary Public Library invites you to learn how to make Indigenous Frybread and the origins of this tasty treat from various Kokum's (Grandmothers) from different cultures. | Virtual on June 22, 5:30 p.m.
Urban Society of Aboriginal Youth presents IndigiTRAILS: Echoes of the Past Augmented Reality (AR) Launch event. | Nose Hill Park on June 23, 2 p.m.
Stardale Women's Group and The Calgary Public Library are hosting a Screening of Shadows in Time, a look into the real world of the young Indigenous girls followed by a discussion. | Central Library on June 24, 1 p.m.
Sled Island and Drum Beat Entertainment present: Young Dene, Carissa Gem and more. | Modern Love Patio on June 24, 6 p.m.
The Calgary Public Library invites you to learn how to make a Dreamcatcher and the history behind these artistic creations. | Central Library on June 29, 1 p.m.

Books to read

The Calgary Public Library has put together a list of books by Indigenous authors that are full of history, hope, humour and resilience. These books aim to bring a better understanding of the need for Truth and Reconciliation:

CBC's Top 5 for June

Photo of a bald man holding a flashlight in a white shirt and dark jacket and a woman with long black hair holding a revolver wearing a dark jacket and they are standing in the rain. In the corner of this image are three smaller images.1. A woman with long dark hair and smiling and the text " Buffy Saint Marie STARWALKER" at the bottom. 2.Woman with long black hair sitting on a couch in a red and beige sweater and eating donuts from a dark pink box.The words "Run Woman Run" in white text on a yellow background. 3. An image mostly in orange hues with a masked person with the words in white test that read "Blood Quantum." — (CBC)

National Indigenous History Month is a time to celebrate storytellers and acknowledge the contributions First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in shaping Canada. This month we have lots of great content including the Indigenous Stories collection on CBC Gem, the Indspire Awards, podcasts, playlists and more. Check out this Top 5 list of CBC programming and Indigenous-themed content.

An Inuit drawing of an eagle in white and black with a city scape on the left side of the background and a mountainous landscape on the right side of the background with multi coloured green mountains and blue water with a black boat in the water. At the bottom of the image are the words THE URBARIGINAL in capitols and in white lettering on a black background. — (CBC)

Explore Indigenous Stories on CBC Gem, featuring new titles like the award-winning dramatic miniseries Pour Toi Flora (Dear Flora), the comedy Run Woman Run about one woman's second chance at getting it right with the help of a ghostly life coach, and the immersive documentary Ever Deadly about avant-garde Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq.

(Link to feed article coming here)

Podcast

A poster saying Indspired Awards The 30th Anniversary in gold text. The number 30 is in black. The background is white. — (CBC)

The Urbariginal To many, Rudy Kelly's dad was a great chief of the Tsimshian Nation — a champion of the language, culture and community. Everyone loved him. But did Rudy? As a kid, he looked up to him. Idolized him. But also feared him. And even hated him. He told Rudy that to succeed, he would have to leave everything behind: his family, friends and culture. Rudy's journey brings him back in time, to learn how colonization impacted Indigenous people, from those who lived it. To find out who and what his dad really was, and to discover more about himself - the Urbariginal. Available now on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.

Indspire Awards

A blue circle with the words "#NAIG2023 Volunteer Spotlight Series" white text in the centre of a series of Indigenous-styled petroglyphs in red, grey, yellow and blue. — (Aaron Googoo / Googoo Design)

THE 2023 INDSPIRE AWARDS (June 18 at 8 p.m., 8:30 NT on CBC TV and CBC Gem. Celebrate this year's recipients and 30 years of honouring First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement in their communities and beyond. Click here to learn more about this years recipients and how to watch.

North American Indigenous Games Volunteer Spotlight Series

Man with wearing beige toque with a black jacket with a white Inuit design on the bottom and black pants. Speaking into a microphone near his mouth. — (CBC)

Throughout National Indigenous History Month, CBC Atlantic is shining the spotlight on some of the incredible people – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – who are volunteering their time and talents to help North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) welcome more than 5,000 athletes from across Turtle Island to Mi'kma'ki, Nova Scotia, from July 15-23. Through their acts of kindness, the series will help inspire others to see themselves as part of the Games and to share cultural learnings. Read more here.

Playlists

Stream the best Indigenous music from across Turtle Island with these 6 playlists on CBC Listen. From roots and rock to hip hop and hand drums, featuring Buffy Sainte-Marie, Digging Roots, Tanya Tagaq, A Tribe Called Red, and more.

Indigenous man in a feathered headdress with plumes of red, white and black feathers and colourful shirt with varous Indigenous beading in gold, various colours of blue and white. — (CBC)

Reclaimed Reclaimed explores the many worlds of Indigenous Music. Traditional songs. Acoustic Sounds. Hip hop, R&B, electric powwow and everything in between. Hear A Tribe Called Red, Lido Pimienta, Tanya Tagaq, Wolf Saga and more.

Powwow Songs to heal, gather, and honour tradition - celebrate the power of the drum and the music of Powwow! Hear songs from Northern Cree and Midnite Express, to Bear Creek and Young Spirit, and more. Hoka!

Looking for more great entertainment? Stream thousands of titles for free on CBC Gem and CBC Listen.

Images courtesy of CBC

Have an event or resource to add? Email us at commscgy@cbc.ca.

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